Covid-19 Research Study - Study Update on Page 2. Cheers y'all!

The effect of smell and taste disorders in long-covid on mental health disorder symptomatology

You have been invited to take part in a research study. Before you decide whether or not to take part, it is important for you to understand why the research is being done and what it will involve. Please take time to read the following information carefully.

What is the purpose of the study?
This study is being conducted to investigate the effect that loss, or dysfunction of the senses of taste and smell due to covid-19 may have on mental health. To take part in the study, you will be asked to complete one online questionnaire which is estimated to take 20-25 minutes.

Why have I been invited to participate?
You have been invited to participant because you are either currently experiencing a loss of, or altered, taste and/or smell due to covid-19, or you have had no experiences of a loss or impaired taste and/or smell. This study is aiming to recruit around 380 participants in each group.

Do I have to take part?
It is completely up to you whether or not you would like to take part in this study. If you decide to take part, we will ask you to give your consent on your computer after reading a consent form. If you do decide to take part, you are welcome to change your mind while completing the questionnaire by closing your browser window at any time.

What will happen to me if I take part?
If you decide to take part, you will complete a questionnaire in your internet browser window. This questionnaire will ask you questions about your lifestyle, some questions about whether you have had loss or altered taste and/or smell, and some questions about your mental health and how you feel about your life.

What are the possible disadvantages and risks of taking part?
There are no likely disadvantages to taking part. You may feel some psychological distress when thinking about how any changes of taste and smell have affected your mental health. If you feel upset or worried about your affected taste and/or smell during this study, you are welcome to contact the study researchers or other existing support networks (e.g., Fifth Sense Charity (https://www.fifthsense.org.uk/), MIND (https://www.mind.org.uk/) or Rethink Mental Illness (www.rethink.org) or Covid Anosmia/Parosmia Support Group on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/groups/232669991396703). In terms of time, it is expected that this questionnaire will take 20-25 minutes.

What are the possible benefits of taking part?
Whilst there are no direct benefits of taking part in this study, we believe that the long-term effects of changes to taste and/or smell due to covid-19 on mental health are extremely important. The publication of this study may lead to increased awareness of these long-term issues and the effects this can have on mental health and potentially improve future provision for those dealing with these issues.

Will what I say in this study be kept confidential?
This study is completely anonymous – we will not be collecting any names or identifiable information. You have the option to provide your email address if you wish to receive information about the study after it has finished, but this is entirely your decision. All information collected about you will be kept strictly confidential (subject to legal limitations). All data will be kept on Arkivum, before non-confidential data is stored long-term on RADAR. All data from this study will be kept securely in electronic form for ten years after the completion of the study before it is destroyed.

What should I do if I want to take part?
If you wish to take part, you should click the link to the Qualtrics Form where you will find this information sheet, and you will be able to tick to provide your consent before pressing ‘Continue’ to the questionnaire itself. You will then be able to answer the questions in your browser window before submitting these. You can withdraw your data while completing the online questionnaire by closing your browser window on your computer before you submit, but due to the anonymous data of the research, you will not be able to remove your data after submitting it.

What will happen to the results of the research study?
The results of the questionnaire will be used to create an academic journal article which will be published. These results may also be presented in oral presentations or in poster format at academic conferences. You are welcome to receive a summary of the study and key findings when the study has concluded. If you wish to receive these, you have the option to enter an email address on the questionnaire.

Who is organising and funding the research?
This research is being undertaken by Dr Andrew Mitchelmore and Dr Erin Byrd – senior lecturers in the faculty of Health and Life Sciences at Oxford Brookes University, and Professor James Faulkner who will be supporting the write-up of the study from the University of Winchester. The research has received no external funding. Who has reviewed the study?

This research study has been approved by the University Research Ethics Committee (Registration 211534), Oxford Brookes University. Contact for Further Information If you have any questions, clarifications or worries about this study, please contact Dr Andrew Mitchelmore (amitchelmore@brookes.ac.uk) or Dr Erin Byrd (ebyrd@brookes.ac.uk).

If you have any concerns about the way in which the study has been conducted, please contact the Chair of the University Research Ethics Committee on ethics@brookes.ac.uk. Thank you for taking the time to read this information sheet.