Prevalence of Anxiety as a Variable in Treatment Outcomes for Individuals With Chronic Refractory Cough.

Purpose: Anxiety is a mental state characterized by an intense sense of tension, worry, or apprehension relative to something adverse that might happen in the future. Anxiety is a known comorbidity in cough patients, yet its prevalence among those with chronic refractory cough (CRC) is unknown. Anxiety is not typically assessed during evaluation for CRC, but treatments for CRC such as neuromodulators and behavioral cough suppression therapy (BCST) may potentially attenuate anxiety.

Cough desensitization treatment for patients with refractory chronic cough: results of a second pilot randomized control trial.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to collect pilot efficacy data on a novel treatment for refractory chronic cough (RCC), which we call cough desensitization treatment (CDT).

Design And Methods: In this parallel cohort, sham-controlled, randomized controlled trial, 21 adults with RCC were randomly assigned to 12 sessions of either CDT (progressive doses of aerosolized capsaicin while behaviorally suppressing cough; n = 11) or a sham treatment (repeated exposure to aerosolized saline; n = 9). The Leicester Cough Questionnaire (LCQ) was the primary outcome measure.

Effect of Behavioral Cough Suppression Therapy Delivered via Telehealth.

Objectives/hypothesis: Behavioral cough suppression therapy (BCST) has demonstrated up to 88% effectiveness at treating refractory chronic cough (RCC). With onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, along with many other medical services, BCST shifted to telehealth delivery. Our group hypothesized that BCST delivered via telemedicine by a specialized Speech-Language Pathologist would be comparable to previously reported response to treatment for in-person settings.

Normative Values for the Leicester Cough Questionnaire in Healthy Individuals.

Introduction: The primary self-assessment questionnaire used for patients with chronic cough is the Leicester Cough Questionnaire (LCQ). The LCQ is a validated questionnaire that ranges in total score from 3 to 21. While it is known that a higher score on the LCQ reflects a better quality of life, normative data have not been reported for this questionnaire.

Cough desensitization treatment: A randomized, sham-controlled pilot trial for patients with refractory chronic cough.

Background: The purpose of this study was to determine feasibility of treating refractory chronic cough (RCC) with progressive doses of capsaicin paired with cough suppression.

Methods: In this sham-controlled, parallel RCT, 14 adults with RCC were randomly assigned to either behavioral cough suppression therapy (BCST) plus 6 treatment sessions involving exposure to nebulized capsaicin in progressively larger concentrations while actively suppressing cough (n = 8), or BCST plus 6 sessions of exposure to a single subthreshold dose of capsaicin (sham; n = 6). The Leicester Cough Questionnaire (LCQ) was the primary outcome measure.

Evaluation and Management Outcomes and Burdens in Patients with Refractory Chronic Cough Referred for Behavioral Cough Suppression Therapy.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the typical symptoms and medical management characteristics of adult patients with refractory chronic cough (RCC) who are referred to speech-language pathology (SLP) for behavioral cough suppression therapy (BCST) in order to estimate cost-effectiveness and efficiency of current practice patterns for this population.

Methods: One hundred sixty-four (164) patients with RCC referred for BCST were surveyed. Patients completed an initial survey at BCST onset related to symptom pattern and prior treatment, including the Leicester Cough Questionnaire (LCQ).

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In his article 'Admission avoidable' (Nursing Older People November) Jon Glasby writes: 'Many older people may be admitted to hospital as a result of social isolation … there is scope to develop befriending services, day care and community alarm services. Particularly important are home carers who provide companionship as well as personal care'.

Letter to the editor.

Further to Hazel Heath's article 'Relative priorities' (NOP October), when some years ago my father, an active 84-year-old, was admitted to hospital, I visited him every other afternoon. We got into the habit of him having a bath before tea. Few people wanted one in the afternoon so Father could enjoy a long soak.

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Has anyone done any research or written a paper on the first month or so following admission to a nursing home or unit for elderly mentally infirm people?