RecruitingNAINTERVENTIONAL

A Non-pharmacological Cough Control Therapy

This study is for adults with a type of lung disease called Interstitial Lung Disease (ILD) who have had a cough for over eight weeks. Many people with ILD find their cough causes distress and makes everyday activities difficult, but there aren't many good treatments. This research explores a drug-free method to help control cough. It aims to find out if this non-drug approach works well and is a good idea to use alongside regular lung rehabilitation exercises. The study will compare whether adding this new therapy helps more than rehabilitation alone in reducing cough and improving quality of life for people with ILD.

At a glance

Status

Recruiting

Phase

Sponsor

West Park Healthcare Centre

Enrolment target

Start

01 Sep 2020

Estimated completion

01 Dec 2025

Cough ILD Pulmonary Disease Pulmonary Fibrosis

What is this study about?

If you have a lung condition called Interstitial Lung Disease (ILD) and a persistent cough, you might know how much it can affect your daily life. It can make socialising, working, and even simple activities challenging. Unfortunately, there aren't many medications available that work well for this type of long-term cough, and those that exist often have side effects.

This research project is exploring a different approach – a drug-free way to help manage your cough. It's called "non-pharmacological cough control therapy," which simply means treatments that don't involve medicines. Previous studies have shown that these types of therapies can be helpful for other kinds of stubborn coughs, and this study wants to see if they can help people with ILD.

The main goal is to find out if this drug-free cough therapy can be easily used by people with ILD, and if it makes a real difference when added to the usual lung rehabilitation programmes. The researchers hope it will reduce how often and how much you cough, and ultimately improve your overall quality of life.

Key takeaways

Exploring a drug-free way to manage long-term cough in ILD.
Aims to improve quality of life for people with ILD and chronic cough.
Study involves online sessions, making participation more flexible.
Focuses on non-medical strategies alongside standard rehabilitation.
Could offer new hope for an often difficult-to-treat symptom.

Who may be eligible?

This study is looking for adults aged 18 to 85 who have been diagnosed with Interstitial Lung Disease (ILD) by a doctor. You must also have had a cough for more than 8 weeks to be considered.

There are a few reasons why you might not be able to join. For example, if you produce a lot of phlegm or if your lung condition has suddenly worsened in the last month. You also wouldn't be able to participate if you've had a recent chest infection, are taking certain blood pressure medications (called ACE inhibitors), or have recently had changes to your other medications.

Finally, if you have other health issues that prevent you from doing exercise, or if you can't read or speak English, you wouldn't be able to join this particular study.

Could this study suit you?

Answer these quick questions to see if you may be eligible. This is a guide only — the research team makes the final call.

Are you 18 to 85 years old?
Has a doctor diagnosed you with Interstitial Lung Disease (ILD)?
Have you had a cough for more than 8 weeks?
Are you able to speak and understand English?
Do you *not* produce lots of phlegm or have a recent chest infection?

Answer every question to see your result.

What does participation involve?

If you take part in this study, you'll be enrolled in a standard lung rehabilitation programme that includes exercise and education. Two weeks before this programme finishes, you'll also start the special drug-free cough control therapy. All interactions with the research team, including the cough therapy, will be done online using Zoom, as the rehabilitation program may also be partly online. The total duration of your participation will depend on the length of your pulmonary rehabilitation programme, with the cough therapy intervention lasting for the last two weeks.

Potential risks and benefits

Participating in this study might offer you the benefit of learning new ways to manage your cough, which could potentially reduce its severity and improve your daily life and well-being. As the cough therapy is drug-free, serious side effects are unlikely, but any new exercise or therapy carries a small risk of discomfort. You are in control of your participation and can withdraw from the study at any time without giving a reason, and this will not affect your usual medical care.

Locations (2)

St. Joseph's Healthcare Hamilton
Verified postcode
Hamilton, Canada· Recruiting
West Park Healthcare Centre
Verified postcode
Toronto, Canada· Recruiting

Common questions

What is Interstitial Lung Disease (ILD)?

ILD is a group of long-term lung conditions that cause scarring in the lungs, making it harder to breathe.

What is a 'chronic cough'?

A chronic cough means a cough that has lasted for more than 8 weeks.

What does 'non-pharmacological' mean?

It means the treatment does not involve any medicines or drugs.

Will I have to go to a clinic for this study?

Most of the study, including the cough therapy and potentially parts of your rehabilitation, will be done online via video calls like Zoom.

What kind of cough therapy will I receive?

The study will use a specific set of drug-free techniques designed to help you control your cough, guided by experts.

How to find out more

Ana Oliveira, PhD

ana.oliveira@westpark.org 6477651525 Official trial record

Always speak to your GP or specialist before deciding to take part in a study.