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Boosting Olfactory and Sensory Training (BOOST) Study for HIV

This study, called BOOST, is looking at two ways to improve smell and thinking skills in adults aged 40 and older who have HIV and cognitive complaints. You would either use a Conventional Smell Training Kit (like MOXĒ, with scents such as rose and eucalyptus) or Scented Markers (like cherry and grape). Researchers want to see if these methods are easy to use and if they help with your sense of smell and cognitive function. The study is currently unclear on its recruitment status, but aims to enroll 80 participants. There are no specific biomarkers or mechanisms being detected in this study.

Study design
This is an interventional study with 80 planned participants. It uses a pre-post two-group experimental design, meaning participants are randomly assigned to one of two groups after an initial assessment.
What's involved
You would come to the office for a baseline assessment (about 2 hours), then use your assigned intervention at home for 8 weeks, sniffing scents twice a day. After 8 weeks, you would return for a post-treatment assessment.
Compensation
Not stated in the trial record.
Follow-up
Participants are assessed at enrollment and again at the end of the 8-week treatment period.

AI-generated from the public study record. Only the study team can confirm whether you're eligible — confirm details with them before making decisions.

NCT07221123

Boosting Olfactory and Sensory Training Study (BOOST)

Recruiting
PHASE2Ages 40+InterventionalTreatment
University of Alabama at Birmingham
~80 participants
Updated 2026-06-11 on ClinicalTrials.gov
What's tested:Conventional Smell Training GroupScented Marker Group

At a glance

Recruiting sites
1 of 1 listed site is recruiting right now
RecruitingSuspended, closed, or not yet open
What they're measuring
FEASIBILITY & ACCEPTABILITY
Measured over From enrollment to the end of treatment at 8 weeks

Conditions

HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus)

Explore related trials

HIV Infection

Where it's being run

1 sites across 1 states
Alabama1

Who to contact

David E Vance, PhD
[email protected]
1205-934-7589
Email the study team

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Do you actually qualify for this trial?

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Eligibility criteria

Inclusion

Participants (men \& women) must be 40+ years
have cognitive complaints.
must be proficient in English

Exclusion

a sinus infection (within the past 3 months), thrush, candidiasis, pregnant, current cold or flu, hay fever, asthma, nasal allergies, opportunistic infections (including COVID-19) within the past 3 months, or current nasal obstruction condition.
Participation requires \~8 weeks and in-person visits, participants living beyond 60 miles away from the center will be excluded.
Participants living in unstable housing (e.g., shelter) or with significant neuro-comorbidities (e.g., schizophrenia) will be excluded.
Other conditions (e.g., legally blind/deaf, currently undergoing radiation or chemotherapy, or a history of significant brain trauma) that could impact olfactory and cognitive testing also necessitate exclusion.

What this trial measures

  • FEASIBILITY & ACCEPTABILITYFrom enrollment to the end of treatment at 8 weeks

    A training diary will be given to participants to help them keep track of their engagement in the protocol. It will have simple check boxes for ease of use as well as space to write comments/observations. Participants will also receive a weekly call from the Principal Investigator/Research Assistant and be asked to recall how many days in the past seven have they engaged in the intervention as directed; field notes will be taken to document protocol processes that aid or interfere with the study. In addition, daily text messages Monday-Friday will be sent as reminders to encourage use of the Smell Training/Smell Exposure protocol. At the Posttest Visit after use of the Smell Exposure protocols, participants will also be asked a series of questions about what they liked and did not like about using the smelling training protocols. Many of these questions are open-ended and will be coded and used in qualitative analyses.