Chewing Gum as a Therapeutic Intervention for the Management of Hypersalivation (NCT07158359) | Clinical Trial Compass
Not Yet RecruitingNot Applicable
Chewing Gum as a Therapeutic Intervention for the Management of Hypersalivation
46 participantsStarted 2025-09
Plain-language summary
Psychiatric disorders often require specific treatments, usually involving medications called psychotropic drugs. While effective, these medications can cause significant side effects. One of the most common is hypersalivation (excess saliva), which can make swallowing difficult and be very uncomfortable in daily life.
Current medication-based solutions are often not very effective and may cause additional side effects. For this reason, we are exploring a different approach: using chewing gum as a form of rehabilitation.
The goal of this study is to determine whether chewing gum can help reduce excessive saliva. To do this, we will compare two groups: one that will follow a swallowing rehabilitation program including chewing gum, and another that will not.
We hope this simple, non-drug-based approach will improve the management of hypersalivation. More broadly, this research aims to highlight innovative and accessible solutions in psychiatry, showing that alternative strategies-sometimes very simple ones-can also be effective.
Who can participate
Age range
18 Years – 65 Years
Sex
ALL
See this in plain English?
AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.
Inclusion Criteria:
* Adults aged 18 to 65 years.
* Hospitalized at Cadillac Hospital, either in full inpatient care or at the rehabilitation facility, excluding the UHSA.
* Experiencing iatrogenic hypersalivation induced by psychotropic medications.
* Salivary flow causing functional impairment for the patient, or observed by family members or healthcare providers.
* With or without pharmacological management of hypersalivation.
* Individuals under legal protective measures may be included.
* Provided written informed consent prior to participation.
Exclusion Criteria:
* Anatomical/morphological anomaly affecting mastication/swallowing
* Swallowing disorder of organic etiology (e.g., neurological deficit due to stroke, neurodegenerative disease, oropharyngeal surgery, etc.)
* Known risk of aspiration with liquids
* Patient refusal of chewing gum or inability to obtain consent (e.g., non-communicative patients)
* Oral/dental condition preventing mastication
Questions worth asking your doctor
Bring these to your next appointment. They're a starting point for a shared conversation — not a sign you qualify or a recommendation to enrol.
1Based on my diagnosis and history, is this trial worth exploring for me — or is there a standard treatment we should try first?
2What does this trial's phase tell us about how much is already known about its safety and benefit?
3What would taking part actually involve for me — visits, tests, time, and travel?
4What are the known and possible risks or side effects I should weigh, and how would they be monitored?
5If this trial isn't the right fit, what other options or trials would you suggest I look into?
Generated to help you prepare — always confirm anything about your own eligibility and care with the study team and your doctor.
Questions for the trial coordinator
The trial coordinator is the person who runs the study day to day. These cover the practical side — logistics, costs, and what taking part would actually mean for your life. The study team confirms whether you meet the criteria; these are questions to ask, not a sign you qualify.
1What does taking part actually involve week to week — how many visits, where, and how long does each one take?
2What costs are covered by the study, and what might I have to pay for myself, including travel, parking, or time off work?
3What happens during screening, and what happens if the study team confirms I don't meet the criteria after those tests?
4Who pays for the scans, blood work, and other tests the trial requires — the study, my insurance, or me?
5How will being in the trial affect my regular care, and will my own doctor stay informed and involved?
6Can I leave the trial at any point if I change my mind, and what would happen to my care if I do?
A starting point for the conversation — always confirm anything about your own eligibility, costs, and care with the study team and your doctor.
What they're measuring
1
Salivary flow measured using the Drooling Severity and Frequency Scale (DSFS) in relation to chewing gum mastication