Abstract
Several studies have shown a significant relationship between smelling and olfactory imagery abilities. The primary aim of the present study was to validate a French version of the Vividness of Olfactory Imagery Questionnaire (VOIQ). The secondary aim was to investigate its capability to differentiate individuals with smell loss from healthy individuals. After having elaborated a French translation of the VOIQ (fVOIQ), we evaluated olfactory imagery abilities of 387 French participants who anonymously self-completed the fVOIQ: 121 pathologic individuals (hyposmic and anosmic), 244 normosmic individuals (healthy non-expert), and 22 fragrance experts. Significant split-half reliability as expressed by Spearman correlation coefficients for the global sample, as well as for each group separately, indicated the excellent internal consistency of the fVOIQ. Moreover, results revealed a significant effect of the smelling ability group on fVOIQ score, suggesting that daily olfactory stimulation is fundamental to maintaining the ability to create a vivid image and that severe loss of smell may result in progressive impairment of olfactory imagery. Our fVOIQ and the original English version seemingly have similarly high benefit in differentiating experts and normosmic individuals based on their olfactory imagery ability. Moreover, the fVOIQ seems capable of differentiating individuals with loss of smell from healthy individuals. These findings demonstrate the reliability and validity of the fVOIQ, and its capability to differentiate individuals’ smelling ability according to their olfactory imagery ability.
Highlights
Sensory imagery refers to the volitional mental simulation of sensory experiences and is known to be feasible in every sensory modality (Andrade et al, 2012)
This study demonstrated that olfactory loss was an important factor in olfactory imagery ability
Split-half reliability as expressed by Spearman correlation coefficients was statistically significant for the global sample, as well as for each group separately (Figure 1), verifying the internal consistency of the French translation of the VOIQ (fVOIQ)
Summary
Sensory imagery refers to the volitional mental simulation of sensory experiences and is known to be feasible in every sensory modality (Andrade et al, 2012). French Olfactory Imagery Questionnaire are forms of coherence between real perception and sensory imagery. Consistencies can be observed between perceived and imaged stimuli. In the case of olfaction, the pleasantness and intensity of a smell are preserved when imaged (Carrasco and Ridout, 1993; Sugiyama et al, 2006). The lesser importance of olfaction in everyday life and the unawareness of having formed an image are potential reasons for the difficulty of olfactory imagery (Stevenson and Case, 2005). Wider interindividual variability can be observed during olfactory imagery tasks, than in any other sensory modality
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