Dysphagia Clinical Trials

This multi-site trial will follow a cohort of Veterans with dysphagia for 8 weeks as they undergo clinically guided oropharyngeal exercises with oropharyngeal strengthening as the primary goal. Veterans with dysphagia will be assessed at three time points: baseline, 4 weeks after treatment initiation, and 8 weeks after treatment initiation. A non-dysphagic Veteran control group will also undergo data collection at parallel time points, without completion of a treatment paradigm. The investigators will then compare patients to non-dysphagic controls using manometry, videofluoroscopy, diet assessment, functional reserve tests, and patient-reported outcome measures. The investigators aim to 1) quantify change in pressure measures of swallowing function resulting from dysphagia treatment; 2) determine which combination of standard of care and/or pressure-based metrics best track with outcome measures; and 3) develop multimodal prognostic algorithms that predict treatment success. This research will establish a precise outcome measurement paradigm suitable for dysphagia clinical care and research, thus improving clinical confidence and paving the way for a personalized medicine approach for dysphagia rehabilitation in Veterans. Read Less

The goal of this a clinical trial is to test the effect of a pharyngeal exerciser in rehabilitation of pharyngeal phase of swallowing in patients with dysphagia. The main question it aims to answer is: •Does application of pharyngeal exerciser improve swallowing as evidenced by need for prescribed intervention for dysphagia (maneuvers, exercises or dietary modification to prevent aspiration). Participants will: Perform barium swallows in lateral view fluoroscopy Over a six-week period, perform thrice daily sessions of swallowing with an external, laryngeal restriction device covering the larynx Return for another fluoroscopic barium swallow study Read Less

This study of healthy young and elderly individuals is intended to assess the effects of pharyngeal exerciser on pharyngeal pressure phenomenon during swallowing. Our specific aim is to test if the pharyngeal exerciser increases the workload of muscles involved in pharyngeal phase of swallowing. Read Less

This study will examine the effects of varying liquid viscosity on swallow physiology in infants with oropharyngeal dysphagia and brief resolved unexplained event (BRUE) and other children with dysphagia that would be at risk for symptoms of swallow dysfunction. Read Less

Although dysphagia is a known complication of cardiac surgery, risk factors and sensitive bedside clinical markers of dysphagia have not yet been identified. This longitudinal study will enroll 380 cardiac surgical patients and identify contributing risk factors of incident cases of dysphagia and identify sensitive bedside markers of dysphagia. Statistical modeling will produce two pragmatic clinical tools - a risk prediction model and a beside screening tool to improve care models. Read Less

This study is to assess the efficacy of intraoperative intravenous nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (ketorolac) versus intravenous (dexamethosone) administration on dysphagia and dysphonia after ACDF. Read Less

The goal of this interventional trial is to learn about lung volume recruitment (LVR) and expiratory muscle strength training (EMST) in a total of up to 39 patients diagnosed with ALS. The following aims will be addressed: Determine the impact of combined LVR and EMST on cough strength and respiratory function in individuals with ALS. Determine the impact of combined LVR and EMST on patient-reported dyspnea and bulbar impairment. Describe the effect of combined LVR and EMST on patient- and caregiver reported burden and quality of life. Read Less

To use novel methods for quantitative analysis of VFSS (videofluoroscopic swallow study, also known as modified barium swallow) to study and compare dysphagia in patients treated for head and neck carcinoma with concurrent radiation therapy and chemotherapy (cisplatin) or targeted therapy (cetuximab) vs. immunotherapy (pembrolizumab, nivolumab, or durvalumab). Our hypothesis is that pharyngeal constriction will be greater (lower ratio) with concurrent immunotherapy compared to chemotherapy, as measured by the pharyngeal constriction ratio (PCR). Read Less

Pharyngeal muscle weakness and dysphagia is common in individuals post-stroke or with Parkinson's disease and in individuals with head/neck cancer who have undergone surgery and/or radiation therapy. Therapeutic options for these patients are limited. This pilot study is intended to assess the feasibility, safety, and efficacy of the External Pharyngeal Exerciser (EPE) on patients with pharyngeal dysphagia receiving swallow therapy. Feasibility will be assessed by patient acceptance and practice records. Safety will be compared between groups to test whether there is an increased risk of the EPE versus standard therapy. Read Less

Swallowing difficulty (dysphagia) is a common postoperative complication in patients who undergo cardiac surgical procedures. Postoperative dysphagia in cardiac surgical patients is associated with negative health-related outcomes including increased rates of pneumonia, reintubation, and death as well as increased length of hospital stay and costs of care. This study will examine the safety, feasibility, and impact of preoperative respiratory strength training (RST) on swallowing and associated health-related outcomes in cardiac surgical patients. We hypothesize that preoperative RST will be safe, well-tolerated, and lead to improved swallowing and health-related outcomes in cardiac surgical patients. Read Less