Plain-English translation of NCT05855369 on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗ · Source last updated · Translation generated · How we translate trials
Phase 3 — Testing in thousands of people, comparing the treatment against what doctors currently use. This is the last big step before approval.
This trial is testing whether combining two treatments—a gentle electrical stimulation device applied to your nose and a structured smell-training program—can help restore your sense of smell after COVID. Some people lose their smell completely after COVID infection, while others experience reduced or distorted smell, and these problems can persist for months or longer. Researchers believe that pairing trigeminal nerve stimulation (a non-invasive, painless electrical device) with daily smell exercises may speed up recovery and improve results better than smell training alone.
Many people who had COVID struggle with long-lasting smell loss, which can affect their mood, sleep, and thinking. Current smell training requires months of daily practice, and many people stop doing it because it's so demanding. This trial is testing whether adding gentle electrical nerve stimulation can make the treatment work faster and better, so fewer people give up and more people regain their sense of smell.
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If you join this study, you will be randomly assigned to one of three groups for 12 weeks. One group will receive 30 minutes of daily electrical nerve stimulation plus smell training twice a day; another will do smell training alone; and a third will practice with a placebo (non-active) version. You'll come in for visits to be tested on your ability to smell, and researchers will track whether your sense of smell improves over time. The entire study lasts about 3 months, with most of your practice happening at home.
AI-generated summary from trial data · Jun 9, 2026 · Not medical advice
United States