Effective Interventions to Overcome Severe Gag Reflex
Tufts University
Summary
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
Description
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
Eligibility
- Age range
- 18+ years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Yes
Inclusion Criteria: * 18 years or older (individuals below 18 years will be excluded from the study as the study procedures might not be well tolerated by them, and they are not the primary population on which these procedures are used). * Students, faculty, or staff of Tufts SDM * Subjects who score a 2 or higher on the Gagging Severity Index (GSI)7 and have a positive gag reflex response when stimulated with a cotton swab at the base of the tongue/uvula/tonsil region. Exclusion Criteria: * Adults unable to consent (cognitively impaired adults) * Wards of the state * Pregnant women (those…
Interventions
- DrugAnesthetic 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.
- DeviceAcupuncture
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).
- GeneticMasking Tape
A piece of commercially available masking tape will be adhered to the patient's mentolabial fold and concealed by the small paper cup
Location
- Tufts University School of Dental MedicineBoston, Massachusetts