Sniffing out memories: smell therapy shows promise for anorexia
NCT ID NCT02297165
First seen Jun 25, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026 · Updated 1 time
Summary
This study tested whether a program of smelling different odors could help 100 hospitalized anorexia patients recall specific positive memories from their past. Over 8 sessions, participants smelled two scents each time and were encouraged to talk about memories and feelings linked to those smells. The goal was to see if this approach could improve access to autobiographical memories, which are often impaired in anorexia.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- olfactory stimulation program
- What this could lead to
- If it works, this could offer a new way to help people with anorexia reconnect with positive memories, potentially aiding emotional recovery.
- What could go wrong
- This is a small, early-stage study with no control group, so results may not be conclusive. The benefit may be limited to memory recall and not directly improve eating behaviors.
This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.
Study facts
What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.
- Phase
-
Not a phased trial
Phase numbers describe drug development. The registry uses this when they do not apply, as it does for trials of devices, procedures or behaviour changes, and for observational studies.
- Participants
-
100 people
The number who actually took part.
- Start date
-
Jun 2014
- Finished
-
Jul 2018
- Lead sponsor
-
Other sponsor
The registry's catch-all category, for sponsors it does not file as a company, a government agency, or a research network.
Who can take part
This study's own entry requirements. Only the study team can say for certain whether you qualify.
- Ages
-
13 to 24 years
- Sex
-
Female participants only
- Healthy volunteers
-
Not accepted
This study is not open to healthy volunteers. The entry requirements below say who it is open to.
Show the full entry requirements Hide the full entry requirements
Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.
Inclusion Criteria: * Eating disorders, anorexia (restrictive form or mixed) according to DSM IV-TR ( Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders IV - Text Revision) criteria * Patient hospitalized in a department of one of the inquiring centers for a minimal duration of 5 weeks * French language ability * Coverage by the social insurance * Fully informed patient who consent to participate in the study Exclusion Criteria: * Major mental associated disorders (psychotic disorders, bipolar disorder, major depression), neurological disorders or addiction to substances * Psychotropic treatment (with the exception of antidepressants, anxiolytics and sleeping drugs, if the treatment was started more than 30 days ago) * Any disorder susceptible to alter the reasoning capacities, discernment or judgment * Physically or psychologically unable to answer questionnaires
Get updates
Get notified about this study
Sign up to get updates when this study changes or when new studies for Anorexic are added.
Genom att skicka in godkänner du våra Användarvillkor
Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
Contacts and locations
Locations
-
Groupement des Hôpitaux de l'Institut Catholique de Lille
Lille, France