A retronasal olfactory testing method and rehabilitation training method based on rubber ball

Abstract

The present invention discloses a retronasal olfactory test and rehabilitation training method based on a rubber ball, wherein the retronasal olfactory test method comprises the following steps: (1) preparing a rubber ball; (2) retronasal olfactory identification; (3) retronasal olfactory differentiation; (4) retronasal olfactory threshold. The retronasal olfactory rehabilitation training method comprises the following steps: preparing a rubber ball; and performing retronasal olfactory rehabilitation training operations. The advantages of the present invention compared with the prior art are: 1. The rubber ball of the present invention is the first tool for retronasal olfactory test and retronasal olfactory rehabilitation training; 2. Compared with traditional retronasal olfactory test methods and rehabilitation training methods, the amount of odor given can be controlled, and the odor giving process will not be polluted or affected by the environment; 3. It is easy to operate, the patient can operate it by himself, and the test does not require the doctor to do it, which reduces the manpower cost; it is more interactive, the patient has a sense of accomplishment in the operation, and it is easier to persist.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to an olfactory test and training method, and in particular to a retronasal olfactory test method and a rehabilitation training method based on a rubber ball. Background Art

[0002] The sense of smell we talk about in daily life refers to orthonasal olfaction, which refers to the chemical molecules related to odor adhering to the olfactory epithelium in the front of the nasal cavity after breathing, combining with the olfactory receptor neurons, and the chemical signals are converted into electrical signals to generate nerve impulses, forming a sensation. The retronasal olfaction refers to the sensation produced by the combination of odor molecules with the olfactory receptor neurons in the back of the nasal cavity, which is significantly different from the anterior nasal olfaction. For example, durian and stinky tofu may be unpleasant and disgusting in the anterior nasal olfaction, but the retronasal olfaction is twice as delicious. This is because the odor molecules are mixed with saliva, microorganisms, etc. in the nasal and oral cavity to produce a special flavor, which can only be perceived by the olfactory receptor neurons in the back of the nasal cavity. In addition, food is a closed space in the nasal and oral cavity, and the concentration of odor molecules is higher, which makes people often feel more strongly about the retronasal olfaction.

[0003] The current olfactory testing tools measure the function of the anterior nasal sense of smell, and there are no tools in China to measure the retronasal sense of smell. Measuring the retronasal sense of smell is of great significance. Compared with the anterior nasal sense of smell, the characteristics of the retronasal sense of smell are: 1. Closer to the quality of life: Current studies have confirmed that the retronasal sense of smell affects people's quality of life more than the anterior nasal sense of smell. The main reason is that the retronasal sense of smell is closely related to diet. Humans have only 5 kinds of taste (salty, sweet, sour, bitter and fresh), and the perception and distinction of thousands of kinds of food flavors are all based on the retronasal sense of smell. After losing the retronasal sense of smell, people will not be able to distinguish between various delicious foods, lose the joy of eating, and increase the risk of depression and anxiety. In addition, many patients will develop secondary malnutrition-related diseases (not wanting to eat), or metabolic syndrome such as the three highs (overeating due to insufficient taste, or adding seasoning). 2. More purely reflect brain function: Previous studies have shown that the sense of smell is an important indicator reflecting the structure and function of the brain. Impaired sense of smell is associated with a variety of neuropsychiatric diseases such as Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, depression, schizophrenia, autism, etc., and can be used as an important clinical early diagnosis aid. However, previous studies were based on the anterior nasal sense of smell, which is easily affected by air pollution, bacterial and viral infections, toxic substances, etc. The receptors of the retronasal sense of smell are in the back of the nasal cavity and are rarely affected by the environment. Moreover, with age, the sensory neurons in the front of the nose often die first, while those in the back of the nose are relatively intact. Therefore, the retronasal sense of smell may be used as a more "pure" marker to reflect the structure and function of the brain, and become a more accurate auxiliary diagnostic marker for various brain diseases (such as Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease, depression, schizophrenia, etc.).

[0004] In addition, current prenasal olfaction tests rely on the natural volatilization of odors in the air. The molecular weight of the odor reaching the nasal cavity is difficult to control and is easily affected by the environment and the tester. If the olfaction test can control the amount of odor given, it will better control the variables and increase accuracy.

[0005] At present, the main function of olfactory training is to repeatedly stimulate the growth, differentiation and maturation of olfactory nerves in the nasal mucosa through odors, while enhancing the brain's sensitivity to olfactory stimulation. After the olfactory sense is damaged by respiratory infections, head trauma, rhinitis, etc., continuous training can promote the recovery of olfactory function, and is effective for the rehabilitation of olfactory dysfunction caused by other reasons (such as craniocerebral injury, neurodegenerative diseases, etc.), and can improve depression, anxiety, and improve cognitive functions such as memory.

[0006] The olfactory training currently available on the market is all aimed at the frontal sense of smell, and the recovery rate does not exceed 50%. This may be because the olfactory neuron receptors in the back of the nasal mucosa are not fully stimulated.

[0007] Therefore, developing a retronasal olfactory testing method and rehabilitation training method based on a rubber ball has become an urgent problem to be solved by those skilled in the art. Summary of the invention

[0008] The present invention is to solve the above-mentioned shortcomings, and provides a retronasal olfactory testing method and a rehabilitation training method based on a rubber ball.

[0009] The above-mentioned object of the present invention is achieved by the following technical scheme: A retronasal olfactory testing method based on a rubber ball comprises the following steps:

[0010] (1) Prepare a rubber ball: The rubber ball includes an elastic sphere, a detachable cover and a disposable straw. A cotton block for absorbing odorant is placed inside the elastic sphere. The elastic sphere is provided with an opening, and the opening is provided with a detachable cover. The detachable cover is provided with an elastic valve that is normally closed, and the straw is plugged into the elastic valve. The detachable cover is provided with an embedding groove on the side, and the detachable cover is installed on the opening of the elastic sphere, and the edge of the opening is embedded in the embedding groove. The detachable cover is a plastic cover or a rubber cover;

[0011] (2) Retronasal olfactory identification: Take 16 rubber balls and put a cotton ball with a smell in each rubber ball to fill the ball with the smell. Under normal circumstances, the elastic valve is closed to maintain stable air pressure and airflow. When using, insert a straw into the valve. The patient holds the straw in his mouth, pinches his nose, and squeezes the rubber ball to allow air to enter the mouth. At this time, release the nose and the air will rush out of the nostrils from the back of the nasal cavity. The odor molecules will attach to the olfactory receptors behind the nose. The whole process is like smoking. After use, take out the straw and let it stand for 5 minutes. The smell will fill the inside of the rubber ball again and wait for the next test. Smell the next rubber ball every 30 seconds. Each patient is equipped with a booklet with 16 multiple-choice questions. Each multiple-choice question has 4 options to describe the smell. The patient should choose the option with the smell description closest to the smell he smells (even if the patient has not smelled it or cannot choose correctly). The patient's options are recorded in the corresponding table, and the score range is 0-16 points.

[0012] (3) Retronasal olfactory discrimination: 48 rubber balls were taken, including 16 rubber balls with correct odors and 32 rubber balls with interference odors (16 types * 2). One rubber ball with correct odor and two rubber balls with interference odors were grouped together, and the test was divided into 16 groups. The odors of the two interference odor rubber balls in each group were the same. The patient determined which ball had a different odor (even if he did not smell the odor or was not sure, he had to choose one). There was a 30-second interval between each group. Each ball was smelled only once and no repetition was allowed. The score range was 0-16 points.

[0013] (4) Retronasal olfactory threshold: 48 rubber balls were taken, including 16 with n-butanol odor and 32 blank odorless rubber balls; 1 n-butanol odor rubber ball and 2 blank odorless rubber balls were grouped into 16 groups for testing; 16 n-butanol odor rubber balls were divided into 16 concentration gradients, namely 4%; 2%; 1%; 0.5%; 0.25%; 0.125%; 0.0625%; 0.03125%; 0.0156%; 0.0078%; 0.0039%; 0.00195 %; 0.000977%; 0.000488%; 0.00024%; 0.00012%, use propylene glycol to dilute n-butanol 4 times a concentration; let the patient identify which ball in each group of rubber balls has a different smell from the other two, smell the next group every 30 seconds, smell each ball only once, no repetitions, gradually increase the concentration until the patient can identify the concentration; when the patient can correctly identify twice in a row, it is the accurate concentration level, and after accurately identifying the concentration level, this level is repeated only twice. The patient can only choose one ball, even if he does not smell the smell. Once the patient begins to smell the odor (mark it in the table), the test is performed at a lower concentration (high numbers indicate lower concentration levels); this concentration is tested twice in sequence, and then the next concentration is tested; until the patient makes an incorrect judgment (this concentration should also be recorded in the table); this is the reversal point of the step test, that is, the test is now performed at a higher concentration; if this test is also incorrect, the test is performed at a higher concentration until the correct identification is made (repeat the test and mark this concentration in the table); now the test is performed at a lower concentration; the test ends when 7 reversal points are found (including the starting point); the threshold is the average of the last four reversal points (for example, the test starts at concentration 9, the reversal points are 11, 10, 11, 9, 10 and 8; the threshold is 9.5). The score range is 1-16 points.

[0014] A postnasal olfactory rehabilitation training method based on rubber balls, the rehabilitation training method is: each time the patient uses it, he takes 4 rubber balls and selects the first rubber ball, inserts a disposable straw into the rubber ball, holds the straw in his mouth, and then squeezes the rubber ball to allow gas to enter the oral cavity, inhales at the same time, and then exhales from the nasal cavity, squeezing once every 5 seconds, and squeezing 3 times for 15 seconds in total; after the end, select the second, third, and fourth rubber balls in turn for training according to the same method, and use a new straw every time a rubber ball is changed, and smell it once in the morning and evening every day, and the course of treatment is 6 months.

[0015] The advantages of the present invention compared with the prior art are:

[0016] 1. The rubber ball of the present invention is the first tool for retronasal olfactory testing and retronasal olfactory rehabilitation training;

[0017] 2. Compared with traditional retronasal olfactory testing methods and rehabilitation training methods, the amount of odor given can be controlled, and the odor giving process will not be polluted or affected by the environment;

[0018] 3. Easy to operate, patients can operate it themselves, and the test does not require doctors to do it, which reduces labor costs; it is more interactive, patients have a sense of accomplishment in the operation, and are more likely to persist. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0019] Figure 1 It is a schematic diagram of the exploded structure of the rubber ball in the present invention.

[0020] Figure 2 It is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of the rubber ball in the present invention.

[0021] Figure 3 It is a top view of the rubber ball of the present invention.

[0022] Figure 4 yes Figure 3 Cross-section view at AA in the middle.

[0023] Figure 5 It is the exploded structural diagram of the rubber ball in the present invention.

[0024] Figure 6 It is a demonstration diagram of the use status of the rubber ball in the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0025] The present invention is further described in detail below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

[0026] like Figures 1 to 6 As shown, a retronasal olfactory testing method based on a rubber ball comprises the following steps:

[0027] (1) Prepare a rubber ball: The rubber ball includes an elastic sphere 1, a detachable cover 2 and a disposable straw 3. A cotton block 4 for absorbing odorant is placed in the elastic sphere 1. The elastic sphere 1 is provided with an opening 101. The opening 101 is provided with a detachable cover 2. The detachable cover 2 is provided with an elastic valve 5 that is normally closed. The straw 3 is plugged into the elastic valve 5. The detachable cover 2 is provided with an embedding groove 201 on the side. The detachable cover 2 is installed on the opening 101 of the elastic sphere 1, and the edge of the opening 101 is embedded in the embedding groove 201. The detachable cover 2 is a plastic cover or a rubber cover.

[0028] (2) Retronasal olfactory identification: Take 16 rubber balls and put a cotton ball with a smell in each rubber ball to fill the ball with the smell. Under normal circumstances, the elastic valve is closed to maintain stable air pressure and airflow. When using, insert a straw into the valve. The patient holds the straw in his mouth, pinches his nose, and squeezes the rubber ball to allow air to enter the mouth. At this time, release the nose and the air will rush out of the nostrils from the back of the nasal cavity. The odor molecules will attach to the olfactory receptors behind the nose. The whole process is like smoking. After use, take out the straw and let it stand for 5 minutes. The smell will fill the inside of the rubber ball again and wait for the next test. Smell the next rubber ball every 30 seconds. Each patient is equipped with a booklet with 16 multiple-choice questions. Each multiple-choice question has 4 options to describe the smell. The patient should choose the option with the smell description closest to the smell he smells (even if the patient has not smelled it or cannot choose correctly). The patient's options are recorded in the corresponding table, and the score range is 0-16 points.

[0029] (3) Retronasal olfactory discrimination: 48 rubber balls were taken, including 16 rubber balls with correct odors and 32 rubber balls with interference odors (16 types * 2). One rubber ball with correct odor and two rubber balls with interference odors were grouped together, and the test was divided into 16 groups. The odors of the two interference odor rubber balls in each group were the same. The patient determined which ball had a different odor (even if he did not smell the odor or was not sure, he had to choose one). There was a 30-second interval between each group. Each ball was smelled only once and no repetition was allowed. The score range was 0-16 points.

[0030] (4) Retronasal olfactory threshold: 48 rubber balls were taken, including 16 with n-butanol odor and 32 blank odorless rubber balls; 1 n-butanol odor rubber ball and 2 blank odorless rubber balls were grouped into 16 groups for testing; 16 n-butanol odor rubber balls were divided into 16 concentration gradients, namely 4%; 2%; 1%; 0.5%; 0.25%; 0.125%; 0.0625%; 0.03125%; 0.0156%; 0.0078%; 0.0039%; 0.00195 %; 0.000977%; 0.000488%; 0.00024%; 0.00012%, use propylene glycol to dilute n-butanol 4 times a concentration; let the patient identify which ball in each group of rubber balls has a different smell from the other two, smell the next group every 30 seconds, smell each ball only once, no repetitions, gradually increase the concentration until the patient can identify the concentration; when the patient can correctly identify twice in a row, it is the accurate concentration level, and after accurately identifying the concentration level, this level is repeated only twice. The patient can only choose one ball, even if he does not smell the smell. Once the patient begins to smell the odor (mark it in the table), the test is performed at a lower concentration (high numbers indicate lower concentration levels); this concentration is tested twice in sequence, and then the next concentration is tested; until the patient makes an incorrect judgment (this concentration should also be recorded in the table); this is the reversal point of the step test, that is, the test is now performed at a higher concentration; if this test is also incorrect, the test is performed at a higher concentration until the correct identification is made (repeat the test and mark this concentration in the table); now the test is performed at a lower concentration; the test ends when 7 reversal points are found (including the starting point); the threshold is the average of the last four reversal points (for example, the test starts at concentration 9, the reversal points are 11, 10, 11, 9, 10 and 8; the threshold is 9.5). The score range is 1-16 points.

[0031] A postnasal olfactory rehabilitation training method based on rubber balls, the rehabilitation training method is: each time the patient uses it, he takes 4 rubber balls and selects the first rubber ball, inserts a disposable straw into the rubber ball, holds the straw in his mouth, and then squeezes the rubber ball to allow gas to enter the oral cavity, inhales at the same time, and then exhales from the nasal cavity, squeezing once every 5 seconds, and squeezing 3 times for 15 seconds in total; after the end, select the second, third, and fourth rubber balls in turn for training according to the same method, and use a new straw every time a rubber ball is changed, and smell it once in the morning and evening every day, and the course of treatment is 6 months.

[0032] The above descriptions are merely embodiments of the present invention and are not intended to limit the patent scope of the present invention. Any equivalent structure or equivalent process transformation made using the contents of the present invention specification and drawings, or directly or indirectly applied in other related technical fields, are also included in the patent protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A retronasal olfactory test method based on a rubber ball, characterized in that: The following steps are involved: (1) preparing a rubber ball: the rubber ball comprises an elastic sphere, a detachable cover and a disposable straw, a cotton block for absorbing olfactory agent is placed in the elastic sphere, the elastic sphere is provided with an opening, the opening is provided with a detachable cover, the detachable cover is provided with an elastic valve which is normally closed, and the straw is plugged into the elastic valve; (2) Retronasal olfactory identification: Take 16 rubber balls, put a cotton ball of a smell in each rubber ball, let the smell fill the ball, the elastic valve is closed under normal conditions, and the air pressure and airflow are maintained stable. When using, insert a straw into the valve, and the patient holds the straw in his mouth, pinches his nose, and squeezes the rubber ball to allow the airflow to enter the mouth. At this time, release the nose, and the airflow will rush out of the nostrils from the back of the nasal cavity. The odor molecules will attach to the olfactory receptors behind the nose. The whole process is like smoking. After use, take out the straw and let it stand for 5 minutes. The smell will fill the inside of the rubber ball again and wait for the next test. Smell the next rubber ball every 30 seconds. Each patient is equipped with a booklet with 16 multiple-choice questions. Each multiple-choice question has 4 options to describe the smell. The patient should choose the option that describes the smell closest to the smell. The patient's options are recorded in the corresponding table, and the score range is 0-16 points. (3) Retronasal olfactory discrimination: 48 rubber balls were taken, including 16 rubber balls with the correct smell and 32 rubber balls with interference smells. One rubber ball with the correct smell and two rubber balls with interference smells were grouped together, and the test was divided into 16 groups. The smells of the two interference smell rubber balls in each group were the same. The patient determined which ball had a different smell. There was a 30-second interval between each group. Each ball was smelled only once and no repetition was allowed. The score ranged from 0 to 16 points. (4) Retronasal olfactory threshold: 48 rubber balls were taken, including 16 with n-butanol odor and 32 blank odorless rubber balls; 1 n-butanol odor rubber ball and 2 blank odorless rubber balls were grouped into 16 groups for testing; 16 n-butanol odor rubber balls were grouped into 16 concentration gradients, namely 4%; 2%; 1%; 0.5%; 0.25%; 0.125%; 0.0625%; 0.03125%; 0.0156%; 0.0078%; 0.0039%; 0.00195%; 0.000977%; 0.000488%; 0.00024%; 0.00012% , use propylene glycol to dilute n-butanol 4 times a concentration; let the patient identify which ball in each group of rubber balls has a different smell from the other two, and smell the next group every 30 seconds. Each ball can only be smelled once, and no repetition is allowed. Gradually increase the concentration until the patient can identify the concentration; when the patient can correctly identify twice in a row, it is the accurate concentration level. After the concentration level is accurately identified, this level is repeated only twice; the patient can only choose one ball, even if he does not smell the smell; once the patient starts to smell the smell, the lower concentration is used for testing; this concentration is tested twice in sequence, and then the next concentration is tested; until the patient makes a wrong judgment; This is the reversal point of the step test, that is, now conduct a test with a higher concentration; if this test is also wrong, conduct a test with a higher concentration until the correct identification is made; now conduct a test with a lower concentration; the test ends when 7 reversal points are found; the threshold is the average of the last four reversal points, and the score range is 1-16 points.

2. A rubber ball based retronasal olfactory testing method according to claim 1, characterized in that: An embedding groove is arranged on the side of the detachable cover of the rubber ball. The detachable cover is installed on the opening of the elastic sphere, and the edge of the opening is embedded in the embedding groove.

3. A rubber ball based retronasal olfactory testing method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The detachable cover is a plastic cover or a rubber cover.

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