NCT07386860

The Effectiveness of Steroid Nasal Drops in the Olfactory Cleft Combined With Olfactory Training for Patients With PIOD

Randomized Controlled Study on the Effectiveness of Steroid Nasal Drops in the Olfactory Cleft Combined With Olfactory Training for Patients With Post-infectious Olfactory Dysfunction

• Status: Not Yet Recruiting
• Phase: N/A
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 100 (estimated)
• Sponsor: Peking University Third Hospital · Academic / Other
• Sex: All
• Age: 18 Years – 65 Years
• Healthy volunteers: Not accepted

Summary

This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of hormone nasal drops in the olfactory cleft combined with olfactory training for treating postinfectious olfactory dysfunction (PIOD). The main questions this clinical trial seeks to answer are: Can the combination of hormone nasal drops and olfactory training improve smell function better than olfactory training alone in PIOD patients? How does this combined treatment work?

Detailed description

Post-infectious olfactory dysfunction (PIOD) is a prevalent condition, particularly following viral upper respiratory infections such as COVID-19, and significantly impacts patients' quality of life. Current treatments primarily rely on olfactory training, but its effectiveness varies, with improvement rates ranging between 30% and 50%. Emerging evidence suggests that olfactory cleft obstruction and chronic inflammation play critical roles in PIOD pathogenesis, highlighting the potential benefits of targeted steroid therapy to address these underlying mechanisms. In this study, the investigators planned to recruit 100 patients and divided them into two groups for combined therapy with steroid drops or placebo drops alongside olfactory training, and validate the effectiveness of the combined therapy based on the comparison of the outcomes of the two groups.

Conditions

• Smell Dysfunction

Interventions

Type	Name	Description
COMBINATION_PRODUCT	Steroid nasal drops combined with olfactory training	The intervention consists of two components: steroid nasal drops and modified olfactory training.
COMBINATION_PRODUCT	Placebo nasal drops combined with olfactory training	The intervention consists of two components: normal saline nasal drops and modified olfactory training.

Timeline

• Start date: 2026-03-01
• Primary completion: 2028-12-31
• Completion: 2028-12-31
• First posted: 2026-02-04
• Last updated: 2026-02-04

Locations

1 site across 1 country: China