Dysphagia Clinical Trials

Swallowing impairments (dysphagia) frequently occur after stroke and have devastating consequences on overall health and quality of life, and long-term deficits in swallow function also increase risk of morbidity (e.g. depression) and mortality (i.e. aspiration pneumonia). As such, rehabilitation of swallow function to improve safety and efficiency of swallowing is essential in this population. This study aims to: 1) Provide preliminary data to evaluate the effect of a novel lingual endurance exercise on swallow function in individuals with post-stroke dysphagia; and 2) Collect preliminary data regarding changes in white matter tract diffusion and cortical thickness and from MRI data to better understand effects of lingual exercise training on neuroplasticity. 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

The objective of the study is to investigate the treatment of marginal ulcers with Low Thermal plasma in an endoscopic setting. By a treatment of the ulcerated areas with argon plasma with low power settings (\~ 1 W) we hypothesize that the size of the ulcers will shrink, and the healing is accelerated compared to standard of care alone. Patients will benefit from this minimally invasive approach compared to a much more invasive surgical approach that comes with higher risks and hospital stay length time. From a societal and scientific perspective, this study aims to extend the well-documented clinical benefits of plasma technology - from external wound healing to internal ulcer treatment - within an endoscopic framework. The success of this study could pave the way for broader applications of LTP in the treatment of other endoscopically accessible conditions such as peptic ulcers, duodenal ulcers and esophageal ulcers. This advancement has the potential not only to improve patient outcomes through less invasive methods, but also to position LTP as a cornerstone in the future of gastroenterological wound management strategies. Read Less

The purpose of this study is to compare two different screening tests for detecting dysphagia (difficulty swallowing) as well as the risk for aspiration (silent swallowing of liquids/solids into the lungs) in patients after an ischemic stroke (when a blood clot blocks or narrows an artery leading to the brain). Read Less

Evaluate voice and swallowing outcomes post operatively. Read Less

Investigators will assess the usefulness of using ultrasound in office procedures for laryngology interventions. Participants who qualify will be adults who are undergoing superior laryngeal nerve block, injection laryngoplasty, swallowing evaluation, voice evaluation and voice therapy. Read Less

The purpose of this research study is to figure out if there are physical factors such as cognition level, nutrition status, walking speed, and handgrip strength that are associated with the development of swallowing problems. Investigators want to better understand how swallowing problems develop in older adults with and without frailty. Identifying factors that contribute to swallowing problems, can develop therapies in the future to improve swallowing outcomes for older adults. This study will be done at the University of Wisconsin-Madison (UW-Madison). A total of about 69 people will participate in this study. Read Less

The Family Caregiver Survey is a one-time, 30-minute, online survey for people living with and caring for a family member with dementia. The goal of this research is to explore the needs of family caregivers, specifically when it comes to managing swallowing difficulties (dysphagia). Read Less

This is a placebo-controlled, double-blind randomized trial of a short course of intravenous corticosteroids for Acute Respiratory Failure Survivors with Fiberoptic Endoscopic Evaluation of Swallowing (FEES) documented laryngeal edema. Study was leveraged using the existing R01 grant infrastructure COMIRB # 21-3873, study design, and research methods. Patients for the study proposed will have already been enrolled in the R01 longitudinal cohort study. The sites to perform this study include Colorado, BU, Yale, and Stanford. Those R01-enrolled patients with laryngeal edema on their initial FEES examination: defined as the revised Patterson edema score greater than zero, will be approached for enrollment. Read Less

The purpose of this study is to learn more about problems with swallowing that could develop in patients who are very sick and need a machine to help them breathe. 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: 1. Determine the impact of combined LVR and EMST on cough strength and respiratory function in individuals with ALS. 2. Determine the impact of combined LVR and EMST on patient-reported dyspnea and bulbar impairment. 3. Describe the effect of combined LVR and EMST on patient- and caregiver reported burden and quality of life. Read Less