Combination of Acupuncture and Daily Olfactory Training for a patient with Postinfectious Olfactory Dysfunction
- VernacularTitle:鍼治療と嗅覚訓練の併用が著効した感冒後嗅覚障害の一例
- Author:
Sawa YAMAGUCHI
1
;
Shigeru KARAN
2
;
Tomoaki TAKANASHI
3
Author Information
- Keywords: Postinfectious olfactory dysfunction; acupuncture; olfactory training; hyposmia; anosmia
- From:Journal of the Japan Society of Acupuncture and Moxibustion 2024;74(2):101-107
- CountryJapan
- Language:Japanese
- Abstract: [Objective] Herein, we report a case of a remarkably effective combination of acupuncture and daily olfactory training for treating postinfectious olfactory dysfunction that had not improved for years.[Case] A 45-year-old woman complained of decreased sense of smell and inability to smell properly. She had postinfectious olfactory dysfunction four years ago, which resulted in olfactory deglutition. She continued taking zinc preparations prescribed by the hospital; however, they showed no therapeutic response. She discontinued a yearlong hospital visit and received approximately 10 acupuncture sessions. Her odor problems gradually recovered to some extent after the acupuncture treatment, but dysphoria appeared. Her symptoms showed no significant changes over the next 3 years.[Results] The pretreatment olfactory VAS score was 38mm and the self-administered odor questionnaire score was 30%. Acupuncture treatment was focused on the facial area; thus, she was instructed to perform daily olfactory training by smelling various odors. Consequently, the olfactory VAS score improved to 97mm and the self-administered odor questionnaire score improved to 97.5% after 18 acupuncture sessions for 18 months.[Conclusion] The results indicated that the combination of acupuncture and daily olfactory training could improve postinfectious olfactory dysfunction that had not improved over the years.
