Non-drug therapy for controlling cough in patients with lung disease

A Non-pharmacological Cough Control Therapy as an Adjuvant of Pulmonary Rehabilitation in People With Interstitial Lung Diseases and Chronic Cough - A Feasibility Study

Not applicable Interventional West Park Healthcare Centre · NCT04767074

This study is testing a new non-drug therapy to help adults with interstitial lung disease and a long-lasting cough feel better when combined with pulmonary rehabilitation.

Quick facts

PhaseNot applicable
Study typeInterventional
Enrollment24 (estimated)
Ages18 Years to 85 Years
SexAll
SponsorWest Park Healthcare Centre Academic / other
Locations2 sites (Hamilton, Ontario and 1 other locations)
Trial IDNCT04767074 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This study investigates a non-pharmacological cough control therapy aimed at treating chronic cough in patients with interstitial lung disease (ILD). It seeks to determine the feasibility and effectiveness of this therapy when used alongside pulmonary rehabilitation. The research will involve adults with ILD and chronic cough lasting more than eight weeks, who will be recruited from outpatient programs and may participate through virtual interactions. The study will assess improvements in health-related quality of life and cough-related symptoms compared to pulmonary rehabilitation alone.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates are adults diagnosed with any form of interstitial lung disease and experiencing a chronic cough for over eight weeks.

Not a fit: Patients with significant sputum production, recent respiratory exacerbations, or other conditions that hinder exercise training may not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this therapy could significantly improve the quality of life for patients suffering from chronic cough due to ILD.

How similar studies have performed: Previous studies have shown promise for non-pharmacological interventions in managing chronic cough, but this specific approach in ILD is novel.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* Individuals will be included if having confirmed diagnosis of any ILD by a physician (as per Canadian Thoracic Society's guideline for evaluating patients with fibrotic interstitial lung disease) and a chronic cough lasting more than 8 weeks in duration

Exclusion Criteria:

* self-reports of moderate or large sputum production
* effective or suspected exacerbation of the respiratory condition in the past month
* upper respiratory tract infection in the past month
* use of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor medication
* changes in the prescribed medication in the previous month
* evidence of traction bronchiectasis in the HRCT
* evidence of other medical conditions that prevent performance of an exercise training program
* unable to read or speak in English / unable to provide informed consent.

Where this trial is running

Hamilton, Ontario and 1 other locations

Study contacts

How to participate

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
Conditions CoughILDPulmonary DiseasePulmonary FibrosisPulmonary rehabilitationchronic coughnon-pharmacological cough therapy
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.