Cough Control Therapy for Cough

Recruiting at 2 trial locations

Overseen By Ana Oliveira, PhD

Age: 18+

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: West Park Healthcare Centre

Must not be taking: ACE inhibitors

Disqualifiers: Sputum production, Recent infection, Bronchiectasis, others

Stay on Your Current Meds You can continue your current medications while participating

No Placebo Group All trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: 4

24 Participants Needed

Trial Summary

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial aims to test a non-drug therapy to help adults with ILD manage their chronic cough. The therapy involves educational sessions that teach patients how to control their coughing. This approach is being tested because current drug treatments are not very effective and have significant side effects.

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

The trial does not specify if you need to stop taking your current medications, but you cannot participate if you've changed your prescribed medication in the past month.

What data supports the effectiveness of the treatment Non-pharmacological Cough control Therapy for cough?

Research shows that non-pharmacological cough control therapy can help reduce cough frequency and improve quality of life in people with chronic cough, including those with underlying conditions like asthma. Studies have found that techniques like cough suppression and breathing exercises, often delivered by therapists, are effective in managing chronic cough. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Is non-pharmacological cough control therapy safe for humans?

The available research does not provide specific safety data for non-pharmacological cough control therapy, but it has been explored for conditions like chronic cough and interstitial lung diseases without reported safety concerns. ^{4 6 7 8 9}

How is Cough Control Therapy different from other treatments for chronic cough?

Cough Control Therapy is unique because it is a non-drug approach that focuses on managing chronic cough without medication, making it suitable for people who do not respond to traditional treatments. It is particularly effective for coughs associated with underlying conditions like asthma and does not have the side effects often seen with medications. ^{1 4 9 10 11}

Eligibility Criteria

This trial is for individuals with any type of Interstitial Lung Disease (ILD) who have been coughing for more than 8 weeks. They must not have had changes in medication, respiratory exacerbations, or upper respiratory infections in the past month and should be able to perform exercise training.

Inclusion Criteria

Confirmed diagnosis of any ILD by a physician (as per Canadian Thoracic Society's guideline for evaluating patients with fibrotic interstitial lung disease)

Chronic cough lasting more than 8 weeks in duration

Exclusion Criteria

Changes in the prescribed medication in the previous month

Self-reports of moderate or large sputum production

Effective or suspected exacerbation of the respiratory condition in the past month

Timeline

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Pulmonary Rehabilitation

Participants are enrolled in a pulmonary rehabilitation program composed of aerobic and strengthening exercises, disease-specific education, and self-management

8 weeks

Virtual meetings via Zoom Healthcare Plan

Non-pharmacological Cough Control Therapy

Participants attend four virtual sessions of educational and self-management therapy targeting cough control

2 weeks

4 virtual sessions (45 to 60 minutes each)

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for safety and effectiveness after the intervention

4 weeks

Treatment Details

Interventions

• Non-pharmacological Cough control Therapy

Trial Overview The study tests a non-drug cough control therapy as an addition to pulmonary rehabilitation for ILD patients with chronic cough. It aims to see if this therapy can reduce the severity and impact of cough without using medications.

Participant Groups

Group I: Non-pharmacological Cough control therapy Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Participants will attend four virtual sessions of 45 to 60 minutes of educational and self-management. Sessions will be designed to target participants' needs and expectations according to the semi-structured theme. Session 1 General assessment Prescription of cough technique Session 2 Cough principles of cough Cough control Session 3 Breathing pattern retraining and laryngeal hygiene Session 4 Reinforcement of cough control therapies

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

West Park Healthcare Centre

Lead Sponsor

Trials

36

Recruited

2,400+

St. Joseph's Healthcare Hamilton

Collaborator

Trials

203

Recruited

26,900+

References

1. Switzerland pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Non-pharmacological Management of Non-productive Chronic Cough in Adults: A Systematic Review. [2023]

2. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Physiotherapy and Speech and Language therapy intervention for chronic cough. [2018]

3. New Zealand pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Appropriate use of antitussives and protussives. A practical review. [2018]

4. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Nonpharmacological cough control therapy for chronic refractory cough and cough associated with underlying lung disease. [2020]

5. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Non-pharmacological interventions for chronic cough: The past, present and future. [2020]

6. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Recommendations for the proper use of nonprescription cough suppressants and expectorants in solid-organ transplant recipients. [2022]

7. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Cough suppressant and pharmacologic protussive therapy: ACCP evidence-based clinical practice guidelines. [2022]

8. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Therapy for cough: where does it fall short? [2011]

9. Canada pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

A Non-Pharmacological Cough Therapy for People with Interstitial Lung Diseases: A Case Report. [2023]

10. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Management and diagnosis of psychogenic cough, habit cough, and tic cough: a systematic review. [2018]

11. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Management of non-pharmacologic therapy for chronic refractory cough: Mechanism, composition, applicable population, and assessment. [2023]