RecruitingInterventional

Cough therapy for interstitial lung disease

This study is exploring a treatment called Cough Control Therapy (CCT) for people with Interstitial Lung Disease (ILD) who suffer from a chronic (long-lasting) cough. ILD is a condition that causes the lungs to become stiff. Chronic cough can be very upsetting, affecting daily life, sleep, and mood. Current treatments for ILD-related cough are limited. CCT, which includes education, cough reduction techniques, and breathing exercises, has helped people with other types of chronic cough. This study wants to find out if CCT can also help people with ILD. Participants will attend a series of group sessions with a physiotherapist over seven weeks, with a follow-up two months later. The study will look at how many people finish the treatment, how satisfied they are, and if their cough or quality of life improves.

At a glance

Status

Recruiting

Sponsor

Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust

Enrolment target

Start

30 Nov 2025

Estimated completion

31 Aug 2026

Interstitial lung disease

What is this study about?

Interstitial Lung Disease (ILD) is a condition where your lungs become stiff, which can make it hard to breathe. Many people with ILD also experience a cough that lasts a long time (we call this a chronic cough). This cough can be very upsetting; it might make you feel embarrassed, anxious, affect your sleep, and stop you from doing things you enjoy. Unfortunately, there aren't many treatments specifically for this kind of cough in people with ILD.

However, there's a treatment called Cough Control Therapy (CCT) that has shown good results for people with other types of long-lasting cough. CCT isn't a medication; instead, it involves learning about cough, practicing techniques to reduce how much you cough, and doing breathing exercises. This study is designed to see if CCT could also be a helpful treatment for people with ILD and chronic cough.

This study is a 'feasibility study', which means the main goal is to find out if it's practical and possible to offer CCT to people with ILD. It will help researchers understand if people with ILD can complete the therapy, if they find it useful, and if it shows early signs of helping with their cough and overall well-being. The findings of this study will help decide if a larger study is needed in the future.

Key takeaways

This study is testing a non-drug therapy (CCT) for chronic cough in people with ILD.
It's a 'feasibility study' to see if CCT is practical and helpful for this group.
Participation involves 4 group sessions over 7 weeks, some in person, some online.
It aims to improve cough symptoms and overall quality of life.
The study takes place at Manchester and Guy's and St Thomas' hospitals.

Who may be eligible?

To be able to take part in this study, you need to be an adult aged 18 or over. You must have been diagnosed with a type of Interstitial Lung Disease (ILD) that involves scarring (fibrotic ILD) and have had a chronic cough for at least 8 weeks. It's also important that any other health problems known to cause coughing have been looked at and treated before you join the study. You should also be able to use technology for online sessions, as some of the treatments will be virtual.

You would not be able to join if you've had a chest infection in the last two months, or if you're currently smoking or vaping. Also, if you're taking certain blood pressure medications (called ACE-inhibitors) or have other lung conditions like COPD, you wouldn't be eligible. If you're currently in another lung rehabilitation program or receiving similar cough therapy, you also can't take part, as this might affect the study results. You also need to have been on a stable dose of any pain relief for your cough for at least a month, and still find your cough troublesome.

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 years old or older?
Do you have a diagnosis of fibrotic Interstitial Lung Disease?
Have you had a cough for at least 8 weeks?
Have any other causes for your cough been checked and treated?
Are you able to use technology for online sessions?
Are you a non-smoker (cigarettes or e-cigarettes)?

Answer every question to see your result.

What does participation involve?

If you decide to take part, you will receive Cough Control Therapy (CCT) alongside your usual care for ILD. You'll attend four group treatment sessions with a physiotherapist over a 7-week period. The first session will last about 1.5 hours, and the following three sessions will each be 1 hour long. Some of these sessions will be face-to-face, while others will be online.

During and after the sessions, the study team will gather information. This includes how many people complete the study, how satisfied they are, and any changes in their cough and quality of life. Two months after your last session, there will be a follow-up. Some participants will also be asked to take part in a short interview to share their experiences with the therapy and why they chose to participate (or why they might not have finished the study).

The study is taking place at Manchester Foundation Trust (MFT) and Guy's and St Thomas' (GSST) in the UK. The study is expected to run from April 2025 until August 2026.

Potential risks and benefits

It's hoped that taking part in this study could lead to an improvement in your cough and quality of life through the physiotherapy you receive. As with any new therapy, there's a small chance it might not work for everyone, or you might find the sessions challenging. However, the therapy is non-medication based, which generally means fewer side effects. Remember, you can always change your mind and stop participating in the study at any time, without it affecting your usual medical care.

Locations (2)

Some site locations are approximate. We're improving this — please verify with the trial team before travelling.

Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust
City only
Manchester, England
Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust
City only
London, England

Common questions

What is Interstitial Lung Disease (ILD)?

ILD is a group of conditions that cause scarring and stiffness in the lungs, making it harder to breathe.

What is Cough Control Therapy (CCT)?

CCT is a non-drug treatment that includes learning about cough, techniques to reduce it, and breathing exercises.

How long does the study last?

The treatment sessions run for 7 weeks, with a follow-up 2 months later, making the total involvement a few months.

Will I have to pay to join the study?

No, clinical trials do not charge participants. This study is funded by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR).

Can I leave the study at any time?

Yes, you are free to withdraw from the study at any point without it affecting your medical care.

How to find out more

Conal Hayton

conal.hayton@mft.nhs.uk +44 (0)161 291 4245 Official trial record

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