Respiratory Kinematics During Voluntary and Reflex Cough in Healthy Adults
Status:
Completed
Trial end date:
2014-05-01
Target enrollment:
Participant gender:
Summary
Cough is a defensive behavior that involves three stages. A large inspiratory phase, a
compression phase where the vocal folds close and subglottal pressure is developed, and an
expiratory phase. Cough serves to protect the upper and lower airways from material such as
liquids, solids, or saliva, that have been aspirated. There are two types of cough: voluntary
and reflex cough. Voluntary cough involves a cough to command. Reflex cough is a cough that
is generated secondary to a stimulus in or near the airway. There has been some research
regarding the differences between voluntary and reflex cough. However, no research has
described the differences in airflow or movement pattern (kinematics) between the two types
of cough. This study seeks to determine the respiratory kinematics and airflow differences
between voluntary and reflex cough in healthy participants.