The objective of this study is to identify the factors that are associated with the development and persistence of cough habits and to report the use of self-hypnosis for this disorder.

A review of the retrospective chart was done for 56 children and adolescents who had a habit of cough. Interested participants were instructed for using self-hypnosis related to relaxation and ignore the cough-triggering sensation.

The patients average age was 10.7 years. The cough was triggered by

• upper respiratory infections - 59% 
• asthma - 13% 
• exercise - 5% and 
• eating - 4%. 

The onset of the cough was around 2 years of age, and the average duration of the cough was 13 months. A high incidence of abdominal pain and irritable bowel syndrome was reported in 50% of the participants who had missed over 1 week of school due to their cough. Amongst, the 51 participants who had used self-hypnosis, the cough was resolved during or immediately after the initial hypnosis training session in almost 78% of participants and within one month in other 12% of participants.

The review concluded that habit cough is triggered by several physiologic conditions, which are related often to different diagnoses. It is also related to school absence. Therefore, self-hypnosis provides a safe and effective treatment.

Ref: Anbar RD, Hall HR. Childhood habit cough treated with self-hypnosis. J Pediatr. 2004 Feb;144(2):213-7. doi: 10.1016/j.jpeds.2003.10.041. PMID: 14760264.