Effective Interventions to Overcome Severe Gag Reflex

Part of paid clinical trials in Boston, Massachusetts.

Sponsor
Tufts University
Study ID
NCT07099131
Phase
EARLY_PHASE1
Status
Not Yet Recruiting

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Conditions

  • Gagging

Eligibility Criteria

Sex
ALL
Age
18 Years - N/A
Healthy Volunteers
Accepted

Interventions

  • Anesthetic spray — DRUG
    will be applied to back of the throat for 10 seconds; their chin will also be concealed from the GSI examiner using a small cup and masking tape.
  • Acupuncture — DEVICE
    A 6C file (endodontic instrumentation file) will be placed on the patient's mentolabial fold (CV24). This file will be concealed by a small paper cup; A clean alcohol wipe will be used to clean the mentolabial area prior to placing the "acupuncture needle" (6 C-File).
  • Masking Tape — GENETIC
    A piece of commercially available masking tape will be adhered to the patient's mentolabial fold and concealed by the small paper cup

Study Details

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the use of various techniques in alleviating gag reflex following gag reflex stimulation. Primary aim: To compare if there is any reduction in gag reflex from each of the following interventions * Acupuncture (CV-24) * Tape * Anesthetic spray Secondary aim: to compare the degree of gag reduction

Key Dates

Start date
Dec 7, 2025
Status verified
Jul 2025
Primary completion
Dec 7, 2027
Completion
Dec 7, 2028

Study Design

Enrollment
45 participants (estimated)
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
TREATMENT

Arms

  • Experimental: Acupuncture (CV-24)
    A 6C file (endodontic instrumentation file) will be placed on the patient's mentolabial fold (CV24). This file will be concealed by a small paper cup; A clean alcohol wipe will be used to clean the mentolabial area prior to placing the "acupuncture needle" (6 C-File).
  • Experimental: Tape
    A piece of commercially available masking tape will be adhered to the patient's mentolabial fold and concealed by the small paper cup
  • Experimental: Anesthetic spray
    Will be applied to back of the throat for 10 seconds; their chin will also be concealed from the GSI examiner using a small cup and masking tape.

Primary Outcome Measure

Change in Gag Reflex Severity Index (GSI) Score From Pre- to Post-Intervention [ Time Frame: 90 minutes per subject ]

Central Contacts

Locations (1)

FacilityCityStateZIPSite coordinators
Tufts University School of Dental MedicineBostonMassachusetts02111
Devon Ptak
[email protected]
6176366889

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By research site
Tufts University School of Dental Medicine· Boston, MA