| Jiang et al.21)(2023) | PEA odor detection threshold test, TC-UPSIT | - Experimental group (CHM): PEA threshold improved significantly (p = 0.005); no significant change in TC-UPSIT.Control group (OT): PEA threshold improved significantly (p = 0.016); no significant change in TC-UPSITNo significant differences in threshold or identification scores between the CHM and OT groups |
| Drews et al.10)(2022) | TDI score | TDI increased from 18.2 ± 4.5 to 22.1 ± 6.4 (p = 0.003) in acupuncture group; Discrimination score showed the greatest improvement |
| Vent et al. 22)(2010) | TDI score | - Experimental group (acupuncture): TDI score increased from 13.5 (± 5.4) to 17.9 (± 6.5); 8/19 patients achieved treatment success (≥6-point gain).Control group (vitamin B): 2/20 patients achieved treatment success |
| Ono et al.4) (2022) | NRS | - Experimental group (Kampo): median NRS reduced by 6 and 8 at weeks 1 and 2 (p = 0.03);Control group: reduction of 3 and 7 (p = 0.04); only Kampo treatment was significantly associated with improvement |
| Park et al.12)(2019) | KVSS I | Significant improvement in KVSS I score observed only in post-viral olfactory dysfunction group (from 3.8 ± 2.3 to 5.5 ± 1.8, p = 0.017); no significant change in other etiology groups (e.g., sinonasal, trauma, idiopathic) |
| Im et al.16)(2024) | NRS | NRS decreased from 10 to 0 after 41 days |
| Bhat et al.11)(2023) | ISIT, VAS | ISIT improved from 0 (day 1) to 4 (day 7), 8 (1 month), and 10 (4 months); VAS for parosmia decreased from 10 to 0 within 7 days; complete recovery achieved in 4 months |
| Morita et al.13)(2022) | NRS | - case 1 : NRS for olfactory dysfunction decreased from 10 to 6 after first session; effect lasted 2–3 days. After LI20 added at session 9, NRS dropped to 4 post-treatment and remained at 7 after 2–3 days.case 2 : NRS decreased from 10 to 0 after treatment |
| Takayama et al.5)(2021) | NRS | After administration, NRS of the smell impairment improved within 3 days from 9 to 3 in case 1, from 10 to 0 in case 2, from 9 to 0 in case 3, from 5 to 0 in case 4, and from 9 to 0 within 5 days in case 5 |
| Hunter et al.17)(2021) | Subjective report | Initially reported complete anosmia; reported 95% recovery of olfactory function compared to normal at end of treatment |
| Kang et al.18)(2018) | NRS, endoscopy, PNS X-ray | NRS decreased from 9 to 1 in both cases; improvement in nasal endoscopy (reduced congestion, edema, and discharge); PNS X-ray showed reduced sinus opacity |
| Jeon et al.19)(2017) | VAS | - case 1: VAS decreased from 9.5 to 1 after 55 days of treatmentcase 2: VAS decreased from 10 to 2.5 after 23 days of treatment |
| Moon et al.20)(2017) | TDI score | TDI score increased from 28 to 31 after 67 days of treatment |