F32 F33 F43.2
Conditions
Interventions
Group 1: Experimental group: Depressive Patients diagnosed with F32, F33 and F43.2 completed an olfactory Training over a time-period of 16 weeks. This daily short-time exposure comprised smelling on
Sponsors
Klinik für Psychotherapie und Psychosomatik Universitätsklinikum Carl Gustav Carus
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
All
Age
18 Years to 99 Years
Inclusion criteria
Inclusion criteria: Symptoms of an at least mild depression (BDI-score >13 and 17 yrs were also mandatory.
Exclusion criteria
Exclusion criteria: Exclusion criteria were diagnosed anosmia, chronic nasal diseases, neurodegenerative diseases, and metabolic diseases, as well as being currently affected with acute respiratory diseases like colds and influenza, although frequent respiratory diseases in their medical history were not an exclusion criterion. Furthermore, current psychological treatment, antidepressant medication or the admission into psychotherapeutic treatment facilities during the course of training was not an exclusion criterion due to ethical reasons, but was taken into account for in the statistical data Analysis.
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame |
|---|---|
| We aimed to investigate in a sample of clinically depressed patients whether Olfactory Training (OT) has a positive effect on depressive symptoms, compared to a placebo training, which we expected not to show any beneficial effect. In line with the previous research in this field, we furthermore hypothesized that OT improves olfactory function and, as a “side effect”, cognitive function. On average, the post-test appointment was arranged 16 weeks after pre-test. The participants had to fullfill the Training on a regular Basis at least for 12 weeks to be included in the statistical data analysis. Depressive symptoms were assessed using the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI-II; Beck et al., 1996; Hautzinger, Keller, & Kühner, 2006). Additionally, the 36-item Short Form Health Survey (SF-36) (Bullinger et al., 1995) was applied in the pre-test to measure health-related quality of life. Olfactory function in terms of odor threshold and identification ability was measured with a validated and reliable forced choice paradigm using the Sniffin’ Sticks testing kit (Burghart GmbH, for a detailed description see (Hummel, Sekinger, Wolf, Pauli, & Kobal, 1997)). In addition to the assessment of objective olfactory function, we also asked our participants about their individual importance of olfaction with a questionnaire (Croy, Buschhüter, Seo, Negoias, & Hummel, 2010). In order to control for a potential cognitive impact on olfactory function and affective disorders, two cognitive tests were performed with the participants: The revised d2 attention and concentration test (Brickenkamp & Zillmer, 1998), and the Regensburger verbal fluency test (RWT; Aschenbrenner, Tucha, & Lange, 2000). In order to control for potential confounders accompanying diseases, we included a medical history questionnaire. The recruitment ran continuosly between November 2015 and September 2017, so that the post-test data of the last participant was collected in September 2017. | — |
Secondary
| Measure | Time frame |
|---|---|
| In the same sample of depressive out-patients, we examined the influence of severity, course and duration of depression on olfactory function. We expected severity, course and duration of depression affecting olfactory function in terms of a reduction in olfactory function (odor identification and odor threshold). We used the same methods as described above to examine this research question. Furthermore, we divided the sample into three sub-groups, taking the BDI score, the diagnoses (F32 vs. F33) and duration of depression into account. | — |
Countries
Germany
Contacts
Public ContactLuise Pabel
Klinik für Psychotherapie und PsychosomatikUniversitätsklinikum Carl Gustav Carus
Outcome results
None listed