Cough Desensitization Therapy: Pilot 2

Participants will be exposured to increasing doses of aerosolized capsaicin (a known cough stimulant) through a dosimeter-controlled nebulizer, while implementing behavioral cough suppression strategies. The concentration of capsaicin will increase incrementally as tolerated, as long as participants are still able to suppress cough. Individual doses will never exceed 1000 micromolar. Cumulative doses per session will never exceed 2000 micromolar. Participants will attend 12 treatment sessions and be given up to 12 exposures per treatment session. Participants will be encouraged to use cough suppression strategies outside of treatment sessions as much as possible to attempt to suppress cough.

Participants will be repeatedly exposed to a saline through a dosimeter-controlled nebulizer during treatment sessions. Participants will attend 12 treatment sessions and be given up to 12 exposures per treatment session.