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. 2016:2016:4986034.
doi: 10.1155/2016/4986034. Epub 2016 Feb 29.

Recovery of Olfactory Function in Postviral Olfactory Dysfunction Patients after Acupuncture Treatment

Qi Dai  1 , Zhihui Pang  1 , Hongmeng Yu  1
Affiliations

Recovery of Olfactory Function in Postviral Olfactory Dysfunction Patients after Acupuncture Treatment

Qi Dai et al. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2016.

Abstract

Introduction. The aims of this study were to assess the impact of traditional Chinese acupuncture (TCA) in postviral olfactory dysfunction (PVOD) patients who were refractory to standardized treatment and to compare the results with the impact observed in an observation group. Methods. Fifty patients who presented to the outpatient clinic with PVOD and were refractory to standardized treatment were included: 25 were treated with TCA and 25 patients were simply observed. A subjective olfactory test was performed using the University of Pennsylvania Smell Identification Test (UPSIT). The effects of TCA were compared with the results obtained in the observation group. Results. Improved olfactory function was observed in eleven patients treated with TCA compared with four patients in the observation group. This study revealed significantly improved olfactory function outcomes in patients who underwent acupuncture compared with the observation group. No significant differences in olfaction recovery were found according to age, gender, or duration of disease between the two groups; however, hyposmic patients recovered at a higher rate than anosmic patients. Conclusion. TCA may aid the treatment of PVOD patients who are refractory to drugs or other therapies.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Scores of the two groups before and after treatment. The results are presented as the means ± standard deviation.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Change in the olfactory function of the two groups.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Recovery according to gender.
Figure 4
Figure 4
Recovery according to disease duration.
Figure 5
Figure 5
Recovery according to age.
Figure 6
Figure 6
Relationship between disease severity and recovery.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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