On the Scent Trail: Arts-Informed Method Development to Support Perception and Expression of Olfactory Experiences in Aromatherapy of Women With Gynecological Cancers

Background: Talking about personal olfactory experiences is challenging because subjective, often latent reactions to odor are difficult to perceive and express. In qualitative empirical research on the effects of Aromatherapy (AT), this issue needs to be considered in data collection. Therefore, we developed a new data-collection method to support participants in perceiving and articulating their own olfactory experiences. The method development was embedded in the background study arth4WOMEN about AT for women with gynecological cancers. Method: The data-collection method was developed in five steps inspired by A rts-informed R esearch (AIR) and Creative Writing (CW). A workshop on scent and writing was conceptualized for an existing CW course ( n = 8) ( step 1 ). The findings were condensed ( step 2 ) into the new data-collection method called the Olfactory Journey (OLFJ), then pilot tested, discussed with qualitative research experts and adapted ( step 3 ). The final version of the OLFJ was carried out with 15 participants of the background study arth4WOMEN as one part of a qualitative interview concept ( step 4 ), then analyzed via qualitative content analysis ( step 5 ). Results: The analysis of the workshop showed that pictures can be a useful tool to focus on olfactory experiences and find words to express them. Thus, in the OLFJ inner visuals were stimulated by an olfactory trigger and brought into focus through a guided instruction. The inner visuals were used as a tool to talk about the olfactory experiences. The resulting descriptions were characterized by many pictorial associations and marked by contrasts and comparisons. Discussion: The OLFJ as a data-collection method has potential to support participants in their verbal expressions of their olfactory experiences. The inclusion of creative art forms in the development process of the OLFJ was helpful and should be encouraged in future research. Further research is needed to test OLFJ validity and reliability.