Behavioral therapy for persistent chronic cough
Official title: Efficacy of Behavioral Therapy for Chronic Refractory Cough in Patients With Laryngeal Hyperresponsiveness
Run by Assiut University · NCT07488598 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This program will try behavioral cough suppression therapy to help adults whose cough has lasted more than eight weeks and has not improved with usual treatments.
Quick facts
| Study type | Interventional |
|---|---|
| Ages | 18 Years to 50 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Enrollment | 30 (estimated) |
| Sponsor | Assiut University Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Asyut) |
| Status | Recruiting |
| Started | March 10, 2026 |
| Main results expected | March 1, 2027 |
| Study ends | May 10, 2027 |
| Registry record updated | April 23, 2026 |
| Trial ID | NCT07488598 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
Is this trial a fit for you?
✓Likely a good fit
Adults (≥18 years) with a normal chest radiograph who have had cough for more than eight weeks that has not responded to standard treatments and who have clinical features of laryngeal hyperresponsiveness.
✕Probably not a fit
Patients who currently smoke or quit within six months, have active pulmonary or cardiac disease, recent respiratory infection, recent ACE inhibitor use, major laryngeal structural problems, or neurological disorders affecting cough control are unlikely to benefit or are excluded.
A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.
What this trial studies
This interventional program offers multimodal behavioral therapy—including patient education, cough suppression techniques, breathing retraining, and vocal hygiene—delivered by speech-language pathologists. It targets adults with chronic cough lasting over eight weeks that remains despite treatment for common causes and who show signs of laryngeal hyperresponsiveness. Key exclusions include current or very recent smokers, active pulmonary or cardiac disease, recent respiratory infection, ACE inhibitor use, significant structural laryngeal pathology, or neurological disorders affecting cough control. Outcomes will emphasize reductions in cough frequency and severity and improvements in related quality of life measures.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the therapy could reduce coughing episodes and improve physical and social quality of life for people with refractory chronic cough.
How similar studies have gone: Previous trials of behavioral cough suppression delivered by speech-language pathologists have shown benefit for many patients with refractory cough, though results vary and further confirmation is valuable.
Who can join: the full rules
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Eligible participants are adults aged ≥18 years i.e. normal chest radiograph. * participants with chronic cough persisting for more than eight weeks that is refractory to standard medical treatment for common causes of chronic cough, including asthma, gastroesophageal reflux disease . * Participants are required to exhibit clinical features suggestive of laryngeal hyperresponsiveness, such as cough triggered by phonation, laughter, cold air, or irritant exposure, with associated laryngeal symptoms including throat irritation, dysphonia, or frequent throat clearing. Exclusion Criteria: * Patients are excluded if they are current smokers or had ceased smoking within six months * patients have evidence of active pulmonary or cardiac disease, recent respiratory tract infection, recent angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor use. * significant structural laryngeal pathology, neurological disorders affecting cough reflex control, or inability to comply with study procedures. * Head \&neck pathology e.g sinusitis, glottal insufficiency or primary muscle tension dysphonia
Where it's running
-
Assuit University hospitals
Asyut, Egypt Recruiting
Study contacts
- Study coordinator: Mohamed Shaaban Mohamed Mahfouz, Resident
- Email: mhamedshaaban6@gmail.com
- Phone: +201094817965
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How to take part
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
- Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.