RecruitingNot Applicable

Evaluating the Feasibility and Reliability of Using Handheld Nebulizers to Conduct Cough Sensitivity Testing With Citric Acid

United States10 participantsStarted 2026-06-05

Plain-language summary

Objective cough reflex sensitivity testing is typically restricted to specialized research laboratories due to reliance on expensive dosimeter-controlled aerosol delivery systems. This study evaluates the feasibility and reliability of a low-cost alternative method using a handheld nebulizer for citric acid cough challenge testing. Healthy adult participants will complete cough reflex sensitivity testing using both a standard dosimeter-controlled nebulizer system (Cosmed QuarkSpiro) and a handheld nebulizer (DeVilbiss 45). The study will compare cough threshold outcomes between methods to determine whether handheld nebulizer-based testing produces comparable and reproducible measurements.

Who can participate

Age range

18 Years – 89 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: * Healthy adults at least 18 years of age * Consent to audio/video recording of the research sessions for research purposes * Spirometry testing results obtained by study team on same day of first testing session with FEV1/FVC ratio and FEV1 percent predicted values of at least 0.70 Exclusion Criteria: * Pregnant or trying to become pregnant (if capable of becoming pregnant- a urine pregnancy test will be provided onsite and a negative result must be obtained prior to the first testing session) * Smoking of any substance in the last six months * Diagnosed or suspected pulmonary disease (e.g., asthma, COPD) * History of chronic cough * History of head or neck cancer * History of neurological disease (e.g., cerebrovascular accident) * History of dysphagia (swallowing difficulty) * Current complaint of a voice problem * Current upper respiratory infection

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

Test-retest reliability of the concentration of citric acid that elicits two or more coughs (C2)

Timeframe: Cough sensitivity testing to determine cough thresholds (C2) will be performed at each of four weekly study visits, with visits occurring every 7 days across a 4-week study period.

Test-retest reliability of the concentration of citric acid that elicits five or more coughs (C5)

Timeframe: Cough sensitivity testing to determine cough thresholds (C5) will be performed at each of four weekly study visits, with visits occurring every 7 days across a 4-week study period.

Trial details

NCT IDNCT07531901

SponsorUniversity of Montana

Sponsor typeOTHER

Study typeINTERVENTIONAL

Primary completion2027-02-01

Contact for this trial

Jane E Salois, PhD

406-243-2138 jane.salois@umontana.edu

View on ClinicalTrials.gov More Cough Reflex Sensitivity trials