Presentation Type
Poster
Faculty Mentor’s Full Name
Laurie Slovarp
Faculty Mentor’s Department
Speech Language Hearing and Occupational Sciences
Abstract / Artist's Statement
Chronic cough (CC) is a cough that persists longer than 8 weeks. CC impacts 11% of Americans and 20% of those do not respond to standard medical treatment and are diagnosed with refractory chronic cough (RCC). Research shows that most of these patients suffer from RCC due to hypersensitivity of airway sensory nerves. The purpose of the current study is to gradually desensitize the nerves that regulate the cough reflex in patients with RCC through cough desensitization treatment (CDT). CDT combines repeated exposure to aerosolized capsaicin, a known cough stimulant found within chili peppers, in increasing doses while actively suppressing cough.
This study is a randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trial. Participants attend up to 12 treatment sessions where they are exposed to the active treatment or placebo. The treatment group receives progressive doses of aerosolized capsaicin, while actively suppressing their cough. The placebo group receives aerosolized saline and isn’t coached to suppress their cough. Outcome measures include (1) Leicester Cough Questionnaire (a validated patient-report measure), (2) urge-to-cough (UTC) testing (cough frequency and perceived UTC following exposure to various cough stimulants), (3) a visual-analogue scale of overall cough severity from 0 (no cough) to 100 (maximum cough), and (4) cough-reflex sensory testing. Seventeen participants (eight placebo, nine treatment) have completed the study. We anticipate an additional 1-3 participants will complete the study by UMCUR.
Our data thus far looks encouraging with the treatment group showing greater improvement than the placebo group on every measure. The 1-week posttest mean change in LCQ was 5.53 and 3.28 in the treatment and placebo groups, respectively. Mean reduction in VAS was 32.67 points and 8.75, respectively. Mean change in cough-reflex threshold was 1.12 and .12, respectively. Statistical analysis will be included in the final presentation.
Category
Life Sciences
Cough Desensitization Treatment: Combination of Desensitization and Cough Suppression
UC South Ballroom
Chronic cough (CC) is a cough that persists longer than 8 weeks. CC impacts 11% of Americans and 20% of those do not respond to standard medical treatment and are diagnosed with refractory chronic cough (RCC). Research shows that most of these patients suffer from RCC due to hypersensitivity of airway sensory nerves. The purpose of the current study is to gradually desensitize the nerves that regulate the cough reflex in patients with RCC through cough desensitization treatment (CDT). CDT combines repeated exposure to aerosolized capsaicin, a known cough stimulant found within chili peppers, in increasing doses while actively suppressing cough.
This study is a randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trial. Participants attend up to 12 treatment sessions where they are exposed to the active treatment or placebo. The treatment group receives progressive doses of aerosolized capsaicin, while actively suppressing their cough. The placebo group receives aerosolized saline and isn’t coached to suppress their cough. Outcome measures include (1) Leicester Cough Questionnaire (a validated patient-report measure), (2) urge-to-cough (UTC) testing (cough frequency and perceived UTC following exposure to various cough stimulants), (3) a visual-analogue scale of overall cough severity from 0 (no cough) to 100 (maximum cough), and (4) cough-reflex sensory testing. Seventeen participants (eight placebo, nine treatment) have completed the study. We anticipate an additional 1-3 participants will complete the study by UMCUR.
Our data thus far looks encouraging with the treatment group showing greater improvement than the placebo group on every measure. The 1-week posttest mean change in LCQ was 5.53 and 3.28 in the treatment and placebo groups, respectively. Mean reduction in VAS was 32.67 points and 8.75, respectively. Mean change in cough-reflex threshold was 1.12 and .12, respectively. Statistical analysis will be included in the final presentation.