Everything smells like poo, landfill, and rotten food”: A retrospective case report using Clinical Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT) for parosmia following COVID-19

Abstract

Parosmia is a disorder of scent that has affected millions of people worldwide following their recovery from COVID-19. Parosmia post COVID-19 can be long-term and has a negative impact on quality of life. Despite this there is limited evidence for effective treatment strategies. This retrospective case report details the use of Clinical Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT) to address parosmia following COVID-19 with a single client over three sessions. The sessions addressed specific food, drink, and odors that were having a major negative impact on the client’s quality of life, psychological well-being, physical health, weight, and relationships. By the end of the three sessions, the client was able to tolerate certain scents and eat foods that the client selected to tap on. The client’s quality of life improved to the point where she was able to eat, go out to restaurants, socialize, and ultimately return to work. Whether EFT can be successfully applied to other people experiencing parosmia following COVID-19 or parosmia caused by other conditions is not clear and requires further research. Keywords: parosmia, sense of smell, COVID-19, Clinical Emotional Freedom Techniques, EFT