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Retraining the mind to open the airways: CBT takes on vocal cord dysfunction

NCT ID NCT01916616

Symptom relief Sponsor: CAMC Health System Source: ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

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Recruitment status, easiest to join first

Recruiting now
This trial is taking on new participants right now.
Not yet recruiting
Registered, but not yet taking participants.
By invitation only
Not open to general applications. Only people the study team invites can take part.
Paused
Paused for now. It may or may not start again.
Ongoing
Running, but no longer taking on new participants.
Completed This study
The trial has finished. Results may not be published yet.
Stopped early
Stopped early, before it reached the end. That can be for many reasons, including safety.
Cancelled
Cancelled before anyone took part.

Expanded access (not trials)

Expanded access
Not a trial. This treatment can be requested outside a study, case by case, for people who qualify.
Expanded access (paused)
Not a trial. The treatment can normally be requested outside a study, but is unavailable right now.
Expanded access (ended)
Not a trial. The treatment could once be requested outside a study, but no longer can.
Approved
The treatment has been approved, so it is available normally rather than through this programme.

When the status isn't known

Details not published
The full record has not been published yet, so there is little to show here.
Status unknown
This status has not been confirmed recently, so it may be out of date.

First seen Sep 01, 2026 · Last updated Sep 02, 2026 · Updated 1 time

Summary

This pilot study tests whether four sessions of cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) can help teenagers with vocal cord dysfunction. The therapy teaches teens to identify triggers, self-monitor symptoms, and use breathing and relaxation techniques to reduce symptom reactivity. Researchers will compare symptom frequency and intensity, as well as breathing tests, before and after the sessions. The goal is to see if this psychological approach can ease breathing difficulties and improve quality of life.

What this could mean

Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.

Active substance
Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), a four-session psychological intervention
What this could lead to
If it works, CBT could become a standard, drug-free way to help teens manage vocal cord dysfunction symptoms and reduce distress.
What could go wrong
This is a small pilot study with only 20 participants, so results may not apply broadly. The therapy may not improve breathing or symptoms for everyone.

This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.

Study facts

What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.

Phase

Not a phased trial

Phase numbers describe drug development. The registry uses this when they do not apply, as it does for trials of devices, procedures or behaviour changes, and for observational studies.

Participants

20 people

The number who actually took part.

Started

Sep 2013

Finished

Jun 2015

Lead sponsor

Other sponsor

The registry's catch-all category, for sponsors it does not file as a company, a government agency, or a research network.

Who can take part

This study's own entry requirements. Only the study team can say for certain whether you qualify.

Ages

13 to 18 years

Sex

Anyone

Healthy volunteers

Not accepted

This study is not open to healthy volunteers. The entry requirements below say who it is open to.

Show the full entry requirements

Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.

Inclusion Criteria: * Adolescent patients presenting to West Virginia University, Charleston Division Sub-specialty Clinic for Pediatric Pulmonology with a clinical diagnosis of vocal cord dysfunction. * Diagnosed with VCD within 12 months prior to study enrollment. between the ages of 13 and 18 years old. * Currently symptomatic for VCD. * Must have a baseline PFT to reference at the time of diagnosis. Additionally in patients who were diagnosed with VCD 6 months or more prior to study enrollment, current PFT results as part of routine care, are required. * A parent or guardian must agree to participate in the four behavioral therapy sessions with his or her child. Exclusion Criteria: * Severe psychiatric disorders (ex. psychosis, suicidal ideation) * Developmental delay * Previous speech therapy for the treatment of VCD. * Currently receiving psychological counseling. * In open Child Protective Services cases.

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Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

laryngeal abductor paralysis laryngeal adductor paralysis Vocal Cord Dysfunction

As listed by the trial registrant

The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.

Vocal cord dysfunction

Contacts and locations

Locations

  • Department of Pediatric, West Virginia University-Charleston Division

    Charleston, West Virginia, 25302, United States

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