Stimulation of the Larynx to Treat Unexplained Chronic Cough

Not Applicable

Recruiting

• Conditions: Cough

• Registration Number: NCT05273190
• Lead Sponsor: University of Minnesota

Brief Summary

Researchers will test the effect of non-invasive vibrotactile stimulation of the larynx on symptom severity of unexplained chronic cough.

Detailed Description

Not available

Study Timeline

• Study Start: 2021-07-13
• Study First Submitted: 2022-02-17
• Study First Submitted QC: 2022-03-09
• Study First Posted: 2022-03-10
• Status Verified: 2025-04
• Last Update Submitted: 2025-04-24
• Last Update Posted: 2025-04-29
• Primary Completion: 2025-10-01
• Study Completion: 2025-10-01

Recruitment & Eligibility

• Status: RECRUITING
• Sex: All
• Target Recruitment: 60

Inclusion Criteria

• Adults aged 18-88
• >8 weeks of cough
• Cough visual analogue scale (VAS): Rating of 30 or greater on a 0-100 cough severity scale
• Ability to provide informed consent and independently complete questionnaires
• Ability to read and speak English

Exclusion Criteria

• Electronic implants (e.g., pacemaker)
• Currently doing speech therapy for cough
• Contraindications to safe or effective VTS device use
• No regular access to wifi internet Neuromuscular impairment that may affect cough/laryngeal sensation and/or function (e.g., multiple system atrophy, Parkinson, CVA, vocal fold paralysis or paresis)
• Untreated carotid disease
• BMI > 40 (for transmission of VTS through soft tissue)
• Current or recent (quit < 3 months ago) smoking
• Known currently infectious cause for cough (e.g., TB, pertussis, COVID)
• History of known or suspected aspiration pneumonia
• Diagnosis or clinical suspicion of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
• Diagnosis or clinical suspicion of interstitial lung disease (ILD)
• Unmanaged reflux
• Unmanaged allergies/postnasal drip

Study & Design

• Study Type: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Design: SINGLE_GROUP

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Assess usability of VTS device	3-7 weeks	% of participants indicating agree or strongly agree with statements of usability
Impact of VTS on cough symptoms	3-7 weeks	Pre-post comparison of LCQ scores

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

University of Minnesota; 🇺🇸 Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States