Daily auricular stimulation with capsaicin ointment improved cough reflex sensitivity in elderly patients with dysphagia: a pilot study.

In our previous study, a single auricular application of capsaicin ointment, but not placebo improved cough reflex in elderly patients with dysphagia. In the present study, we examined whether daily auricular application of capsaicin ointment continued to improve cough reflex in similar patients. With a cotton swab, 0.025% capsaicin ointment was applied in each external auditory canal alternately once a day for 2 weeks. The cough reflex sensitivity was evaluated on videoendoscopy using a numerical score and inhalation cough challenge test using citric acid in elderly dysphagic inpatients. After daily auricular application of capsaicin ointment for 2 weeks, the endoscopic score of glottal closure and cough reflexes significantly improved, and the citric acid cough threshold significantly decreased. There was a significant correlation between the endoscopic score and the citric acid cough threshold before and after daily capsaicin application in the patients.: Daily auricular stimulation with capsaicin ointment for 2 weeks continued to improve the cough reflex sensitivity in elderly patients with dysphagia. Daily auricular stimulation with capsaicin ointment would be a safe and effective intervention to prevent pneumonia in elderly with a risk of aspiration.