Cough
Conditions
Brief summary
This study seeks to explore whether heart rate variability (HRV) biofeedback can be effective in the treatment of chronic cough. Chronic cough has many causes, including asthma, postnasal drip, and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), each with a specific treatment. However, among a subset of cough patients, no clear cause is found despite extensive workup, and traditional treatment methods do not provide relief. Several studies revealed less common causes of chronic cough and disordered breathing such as vagal neuropathy, paradoxical vocal fold motion, and stress. Additional research identified links between the neurological networks that produce the cough reflex and those that maintain normal breathing. HRV biofeedback is a self-regulation technique that uses computer equipment to monitor heart rate and breathing, two key functions of the autonomic nervous system. By using this non-invasive behavioral technique, cough patients can regulate their breathing and autonomic function, potentially leading to improved autonomic balance and a reduction in cough symptoms.
Interventions
BEHAVIORALVoice Therapy
See Arm 1 & 2
BEHAVIORALVoice Therapy and Heart Rate Variability Biofeedback
See Arm 2 & 3
BEHAVIORALHeart Rate Variability Biofeedback
See Arm 2 & 3
Sponsors
University of California, San Diego
Study design
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
SINGLE (Subject)
Intervention model description
Randomized controlled trial of 3 groups: 1) standard voice therapy 2) voice therapy and heart rate variability biofeedback and 3) heart rate variability biofeedback
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
18 Years to 90 Years
Healthy volunteers
Yes
Inclusion criteria
* 8+ weeks of cough, Fluent English speaker, Have access to an electronic mobile device
Exclusion criteria
* On neuromodulator therapy, cardiac arrhythmia, dysphagia, prior HRVB or mindfulness, head and neck surgery of the oropharynx, neck or larynx, lung surgery, pulmonary pathology other than asthma, tourette syndrome, ACE inhibitor use, current or recent smoker. Added
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Percentage of Cough reduction | 3 weeks | Measured by changes in cough severity index and patient recordings |
Secondary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Durability of cough remediation | 8 weeks | Phone call to patients |
| Changes in dyspnea | 3 weeks | Measured by dyspnea index |
| Change in voice | 3 weeks | Measured by voice handicap index |
Countries
United States
Contacts
Primary ContactPhilip Weissbrod, MD
Backup ContactErin Walsh, MA
Outcome results
None listed