Effective Interventions to Overcome Severe Gag Reflex

Effective Interventions to Overcome Severe Gag Reflex

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

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

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 that are self-reported)
• Current use of anticoagulants
• Allergy to xylocaine
• Those with bleeding disorders
• Those who participated in the Calibration phase of this study