The Reliability, Usability, and Subjective Workload of a Computerized Olfactory Threshold Testing Device

Abstract

The aim of the thesis was to test a computerized olfactory threshold definition prototype device designed to imitate a traditional Sniffin’ Sticks olfactory threshold test. To investigate the reliability, usability, and subjective workload of the prototype, 29 participants with normal sense of smell were measured twice on two separate days resulting in a total of four olfactory tests. The usability of the test was measured with System Usability Scale (SUS) and subjective workload with NASA Task Load Index (NASA-TLX). Spearman’s correlation coefficients showed good test-retest reliability of the device r = .44–.78 (p’s varied between <.001 and .018). SUS results indicated good usability in all four tests. NASA-TLX raw scores showed relatively low subjective workload. These results show that automated olfactory testing is a promising alternative to traditional olfactory threshold testing in future.