The Effects of Olfactory Stimulation on Diagnosis and Prognosis of DOC Patients

The Effects of Olfactory Stimulation on Diagnosis and Prognosis of Patients With Disorders of Consciousness

Analyze the behavioral response of patients with disorders of consciousness through olfactory stimulation, compare the response of olfactory stimulation in patients with different consciousness, and analyze the impact of olfactory stimulation on diagnosis; After the first, third, and sixth months of initial enrollment, the recovery of prognosis was tracked by the Coma Recovery Scale-Revision (CRS-R).

Previous studies suggested that olfactory stimulus have some effect on some patients with disorders of consciousness. Then, the aim of the present study is to know the prognostic value of olfactory stimulation and the diagnosis for DOC patients. DOC patients were recruited (standard diagnosis procedure is 5 times CRS-R testing within 10 days). The different stimuli were as follows: 1) 1-octene-3-ol, odor. 2) pyridine, odor. 3) water. We presented these stimuli randomly, and we recorded the patient's CRS-R scale behavioral response and response to olfactory stimulation. Analyze the behavioral response of patients with disorders of consciousness through olfactory stimulation, compare the response of olfactory stimulation in patients with different consciousness, and analyze the impact of olfactory stimulation on diagnosis; After the first, third, and sixth months of initial enrollment, the recovery of prognosis was tracked by the Coma Recovery Scale-Revision (CRS-R).

Inclusion Criteria:

• 18-65 years old;
• non-acute phase;
• after coma;
• no nerve stimulation drugs within 48 hours before the implementation of the study;
• no neuromuscular blockers within 24 hours before implementation

Exclusion Criteria:

• history of forehead injury;
• nasal fractures;
• tracheotomy;
• developmental mental or neurological diseases leading to recorded dysfunction;
• severe fractures of the extremities.