Olfactory dysfunction (OD) refers to disorders affecting the sense of smell. Prior investigations suggest that traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) may offer therapeutic benefits for OD. This study performed a bibliometric assessment of TCM-related OD research to reveal patterns and emerging areas of focus. Eleven databases were systematically reviewed from inception to September 4, 2024, covering all clinical research involving TCM for OD. Information extracted with Excel 2016 and R Studio included study profiles, underlying diseases, therapeutic modalities, control measures, endpoints, effectiveness, and safety data. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) were appraised using the Revised Cochrane Risk-of-Bias Tool.
Among 412 publications spanning 1963–2024, the dataset comprised 10 systematic reviews, 255 RCTs, 16 non-randomized trials, 80 case reports, 47 case series, 3 cohort studies, and 1 case–control study. OD stemmed from multiple etiologies, with chronic rhinosinusitis being the predominant cause and hyposmia the most frequent form of impairment. The most widely applied TCM interventions were decoction therapy, acupuncture, and Chinese patent medicines. “Xin Yi (Magnolia Flower)” and the acupoint “Yingxiang (LI 20)” appeared most commonly. The majority of RCTs described beneficial effects of TCM on OD, and no serious TCM-associated adverse reactions were documented. The overall methodological quality of the RCTs was low. Current research hotspots primarily concern OD secondary to upper respiratory tract infections, with emphasis on the internal administration of TCM decoctions and acupuncture treatment.
