Mechanisms of Change in Behavioral Cough Suppression Therapy for Refractory Chronic Cough (NCT06960759)
🩺 Plain-English Summary (8th-Grade Level)
This study is testing new ways to help people who have chronic cough that has not improved with typical treatments. One approach is called behavioral cough suppression (BCS) therapy, which teaches people techniques to stop themselves from coughing. Another approach uses a natural substance thought to help reduce the body's sensitivity to cough triggers. In this study, we will test two treatments and include one no-treatment control group. The control group will undergo baseline testing, cough monitoring, and an fMRI brain scan and will be offered BCS at end of study participation. The two treatments include: * BCS therapy with active inhaled treatment (BCS+active), * BCS therapy with inactive inhaled treatment (BCS+inactive), The investigators will enroll 135 adults with refractory chronic cough (RCC). 100 participants who qualify and are willing and able to complete 14 study visits in the clinic and two online study visits will be randomly assigned to one of the two treatments. The no-treatment control group (n=35) will be recruited from adults with RCC who are willing to complete baseline testing and fMRI but are not able or willing to attend 14 study clinic visits. These participants will not be randomized. The investigators want to find out how these treatments affect: * How sensitive someone is to things that make them cough, * How well they can hold back a cough when they try, * How their brain responds to things that cause an urge-to-cough, * And how much their coughing affects their quality of life. The investigators believe both treatments will reduce sensitivity to cough stimulants, reduce cough severity, and improve quality of life, but BCS+active inhaled treatment will work better than BCS+inactive inhaled treatment.
Who can join: Review the eligibility criteria below.
Location: University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus — Aurora, Colorado
Age range: 18 Years to 99 Years
🧪 Interventions in This Study
📋 "Do I Qualify?" — 1-Minute Self Screener
Instant ChecklistFull eligibility criteria are available on the official NIH protocol. View the criteria ↗
📍 All Participating Trial Locations (3 Sites)
- University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus — Aurora, Colorado
- Emory University — Atlanta, Georgia
- University of Montana — Missoula, Montana
📞 Contact the Study Coordinator
Phone: (406) 243-2107
Email: laurie.slovarp@umontana.edu
Coordinator details come directly from the registered NIH protocol. Confirm the study is still recruiting before traveling.
💰 Cost, Insurance & Patient Rights
- 100% Free Items: The investigational treatment and protocol-required procedures are supplied at zero cost by the sponsor.
- Routine Patient Care: Under federal law (ACA § 2709) and many state statutes, routine care costs are covered during participation.
- Voluntary Participation: You may withdraw at any time without affecting your standard medical care.
More studies in Chronic Cough (CC)
- Investigating the Role of ATP Production by Airway Epithelium in Patients With Refractory and Unexplained Chronic Cough (RCC/UCC). — Hamilton, Ontario
- Efficacy of Intramuscular Steroid Injection for Chronic Cough. — Charleston, South Carolina
- The Safety, Feasibility, and Repeatability of Inhaled ATP Cough Challenges — Hamilton, Ontario
Explore by condition: All Chronic Cough (CC) clinical trials
💡 How to Participate
- Check the checklist above to see if you may qualify.
- Contact the study coordinator using the phone/email above.
- Ask about the visit schedule, what is covered at no cost, and any travel support.
- Confirm with your own doctor before making a decision.