Behavioral cough suppression and capsaicin for refractory chronic cough
Official title: Mechanisms of Change in Behavioral Cough Suppression Treatment for Refractory Chronic Cough
Funded at University of Montana · NIH-11418499 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A multi-site study will test how a behavioral therapy for stopping cough works alone and with capsaicin to help people with stubborn chronic cough.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Montana NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Missoula, United States) |
| Project start | September 18, 2025 |
| Project end | May 31, 2030 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $692,851 |
| NIH project number | 5R01HL175462-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11418499 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults with refractory chronic cough who can undergo behavioral therapy and capsaicin exposure.
✕Less likely to help
Some participants may not experience noticeable improvement or may experience discomfort from capsaicin exposure.
What this research studies
This trial explores how teaching patients to suppress cough and pairing it with capsaicin exposure may reduce coughing in people with refractory chronic cough. Participants will be randomly assigned to three groups and will complete 12 treatment sessions over the study period. Researchers will look at changes in cough frequency and the sensitivity of cough responses to capsaicin, aiming to understand why the therapy helps some patients more than others. The study builds on earlier pilot work and uses a rigorous, multi-site design to uncover the mechanisms behind therapeutic responses. Overall, the goal is to improve practical treatment options for RCC and reduce its burden on patients and healthcare systems.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, patients may experience fewer coughing episodes and better control over their symptoms, improving quality of life.
How similar studies have gone: Preliminary pilot data suggested promise for the combined approach, with prior small studies showing potential benefits.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Montana
Missoula, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Slovarp, Laurie — University of Montana
- Study coordinator: Slovarp, Laurie
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.