DYSPHAGIA

This study tests a new way to treat marginal ulcers that can form after gastric bypass surgery. Instead of just taking standard acid-reducing medication, some participants will also receive a low-thermal argon plasma treatment during an endoscopy. The goal is to see if this plasm…

This study looks at whether adding a non-invasive brain stimulation technique (rTMS) to standard swallowing therapy can reduce pneumonia in stroke patients who have trouble swallowing. About 70 adults aged 49-65 with moderate to severe swallowing problems after a stroke will be e…

This study tests whether a simple esophageal string test (EST) can diagnose eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) in people who have trouble swallowing. Participants swallow a capsule with a nylon string that collects fluid from the esophagus, which is then analyzed. The results will be…

This study is translating and validating several clinical assessment tools for neurogenic dysphagia (swallowing problems caused by neurological conditions) into Italian. Researchers will enroll about 100 adults with conditions like stroke or Parkinson's disease to test the reliab…

This study tests whether a special swallowing exercise using a pressure-measuring ball can help older stroke patients with swallowing problems. Participants will do the exercises at home twice daily for 12 weeks. The goal is to see if it improves swallowing function and quality o…

This study tests whether a four-week training program using a device called EMST can improve swallowing in people with Parkinson's disease who have trouble swallowing. Thirty participants will do breathing exercises five days a week. Researchers will use special cameras and press…

This study looks at whether starting speech and swallowing therapy early — before and just after surgery — can help people with head and neck cancer recover better. Forty patients will either get early therapy sessions with a speech-language pathologist or the usual care. The mai…

This study looks at whether doing simple breathing exercises every day before a heart transplant can help patients breathe, cough, and swallow better after surgery. About 90 adults waiting for a heart transplant will take part. They will do daily breathing exercises and have thei…

This study tests a special mouth exercise program for people who still have trouble swallowing 12 weeks after a stroke. Researchers want to see if the device can improve swallowing function and quality of life. The trial involves 60 participants and uses a camera test to measure …

This study tests if a short course of intravenous steroids can reduce throat swelling and improve swallowing in people recovering from a breathing tube in the ICU. About 80 adults with confirmed laryngeal edema will receive either steroids or a placebo. The goal is to see if ster…

Some head and neck cancer survivors develop velopharyngeal dysfunction (VPD), where the soft palate doesn't close properly, causing nasal-sounding speech and trouble swallowing. This study tests a simple injection that plumps up the back of the throat to improve closure. Research…

This study tests two simple, low-cost methods—chewing sugar-free gum or gargling cold water—before a bronchoscopy to see if they reduce sore throat and swallowing difficulty afterward. About 100 adults scheduled for diagnostic bronchoscopy will be randomly assigned to one of thes…

This study tests whether biofeedback—a technique that shows you real-time visuals of your swallowing—can help stroke survivors with swallowing problems recover faster. One hundred participants will be split into two groups: one gets standard therapy with verbal feedback, the othe…

This study tests whether adding visual biofeedback to standard swallowing exercises and electrical stimulation helps stroke patients with swallowing problems. 34 adults who had a stroke in the last 6 months will be randomly assigned to either the biofeedback group or a convention…

This study tests a new swallowing exercise called direct chin-tuck against resistance (dCTAR) in people with swallowing problems after a stroke. Researchers will use ultrasound to see if the exercise strengthens throat muscles and improves how the voice box moves during swallowin…

This study tests whether doing throat exercises before and after neck surgery helps people swallow and speak better. Fifty adults having anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) will start exercises one week before surgery and continue for six weeks after, with weekly sessi…

This study tests a device that provides resistance during swallowing to strengthen throat muscles. 160 adults with swallowing problems (dysphagia) will use the device three times daily for six weeks. The goal is to see if it improves swallowing and reduces the risk of food or liq…

This study tests a wearable sensor that tracks neck muscle activity during swallowing exercises, providing real-time feedback to patients. Researchers want to see if adding this device to standard therapy improves swallowing more than therapy alone. The study includes 120 adults …

This study looks at a device called Phagenyx that uses mild electrical pulses to stimulate the throat muscles in stroke survivors who have severe trouble swallowing. Researchers will compare patients who received this treatment with those who did not, to see if it helps them eat …

This study tests two types of breathing exercises together in people with ALS. The goal is to see if these exercises can improve cough strength and breathing, and reduce shortness of breath. Up to 34 people with ALS will participate, and the study also looks at how the exercises …

This study tests whether a tongue endurance exercise program can improve swallowing in adults who have had a stroke. Seventy participants will be randomly assigned to either the tongue exercise group or a sham therapy group. They will do home-based exercises for 8 weeks and have …

This study tests whether applying kinesio tape to the neck muscles can improve swallowing safety in people who have trouble swallowing after a stroke. Researchers will measure changes in swallowing using a special X-ray video before and right after the tape is applied. The study …

This study tests whether a new therapy to improve coughing and swallowing works as well when done at home via telehealth as it does in person. About 120 people with Parkinson's disease who have trouble swallowing will take part. The goal is to find easier ways to help patients pr…

This study tests whether a mild electrical brain stimulation technique called tDCS can improve swallowing difficulties in people with Parkinson's disease. 58 participants will receive either real or sham tDCS alongside standard swallowing therapy. Researchers will measure changes…

This study compares swallowing function in older adults with and without Alzheimer's disease. Researchers will also survey caregivers to understand the burden of swallowing issues. Participants will undergo tests of swallowing, coughing, and muscle strength. The goal is to learn …

This study screens adults over 60 for swallowing difficulties and offers three types of treatment: muscle strengthening, skill-based training, or compensatory care. The goal is to better diagnose and treat swallowing problems in older adults. About 99 participants will take part.

This study compares a standardized swallow test (MASA) with the usual non-standardized test to see which better detects swallowing problems and risk of food or liquid entering the lungs in stroke patients. Researchers will test 50 adults recently hospitalized after an ischemic st…

This observational study is investigating whether heterotopic gastric mucosa (HGM), a patch of stomach-like tissue found in the upper esophagus, is associated with swallowing difficulties (dysphagia) and indigestion (dyspepsia). Researchers will compare symptoms and quality of li…

This study looks at how different thicknesses of liquids (thin, slightly thick, mildly thick, moderately thick) change the way children with swallowing problems swallow. Researchers will use special tools to measure swallowing safety in 200 children, including infants who had a b…

This study looks at why some older adults with sarcopenia (age-related muscle loss) have trouble swallowing. Researchers will use video X-rays and muscle activity sensors to see how swallowing works in different phases. The goal is to better understand the problem, which could le…

This study looks at whether patients with severe breathing problems in the ICU should be allowed to eat or drink before they need a breathing tube. Currently, patients are often kept fasting to prevent food from entering the lungs, but this can cause discomfort and malnutrition. …

This study looks at how to get cancer clinics to use a standard tool called DIGEST to measure swallowing problems. Researchers will compare different training methods to see which works best. The goal is to improve how swallowing issues are tracked and managed in cancer care.

This study tests whether a pharyngeal exerciser can increase the workload of swallowing muscles in healthy young and older adults. Researchers will use X-ray and pressure measurements to see changes in throat movement and muscle effort. The goal is to understand if such a device …

This study is testing a new wearable patch that uses a microphone to listen to swallowing sounds in people who have trouble swallowing after a stroke. The patch is placed on the neck and records sounds during a standard swallowing X-ray test. Researchers will use machine learning…

This study looks at how muscle wasting in the mouth and throat affects swallowing in adults who are critically ill and in the intensive care unit. Researchers will measure muscle size and strength, and test swallowing safety at several points during the hospital stay. The goal is…

This study tests a special nutrition program for ICU patients after their breathing tube is removed. The program uses a tool called GUSS-ICU to guide safe eating and drinking for four days. Researchers will check if it helps reduce risks like malnutrition, dehydration, and pneumo…