DYSPHAGIA

This study tests whether a combination of small tube feedings plus extra IV nutrition can lower the chance of pneumonia in people with severe stroke. About 546 adults who have trouble swallowing will be randomly assigned to one of two feeding plans. The goal is to find a safer wa…

This study tests whether adding a gentle brain stimulation technique (rTMS) to standard swallowing therapy can lower the chance of pneumonia in people who have trouble swallowing after a stroke. About 70 adults with moderate to severe swallowing difficulty will be enrolled. The g…

This study tests a special nutrition program (GUSS-ICU) for intensive care patients after their breathing tube is removed. The goal is to reduce swallowing problems, malnutrition, dehydration, and pneumonia. About 82 adults will be randomly assigned to either the program or usual…

This study aims to see if a simple, low-cost esophageal string test can accurately diagnose eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE), a condition causing swallowing trouble. Researchers will compare the string test results with standard endoscopy in 70 African adults with dysphagia in Mali…

This study tests a new swallowing exercise called direct chin-tuck against resistance (dCTAR) in 60 healthy adults and stroke patients with swallowing problems. The exercise involves tucking the chin while pushing against resistance, which may help open the throat more during swa…

This study looks at whether chewing gum or gargling with cold water can help reduce sore throat and swallowing problems after a bronchoscopy. About 100 adults having the procedure will be split into groups to try one of these simple methods or standard care. The goal is to see if…

This study tests if a short course of steroids given through a vein can reduce swelling in the throat and improve swallowing in people who have recently had a breathing tube. The trial involves 80 adults who are already part of a larger study and have throat swelling seen on a ca…

This study tests a wearable device that gives feedback on swallowing muscle activity to help people with swallowing problems from stroke or Parkinson's disease. About 120 adults aged 50-90 will do a 12-week therapy program either in-person or at home via telehealth. The goal is t…

This study looks at a device called Phagenyx that uses mild electrical pulses to the throat to improve swallowing in stroke patients with severe difficulty. Researchers will compare patients who received this treatment to those who did not, tracking changes in swallowing safety a…

This study tests whether adding visual biofeedback to standard swallowing exercises and mild electrical stimulation can improve swallowing in people who had a stroke. 34 adults who had a stroke within the last 6 months will be randomly assigned to either the biofeedback group or …

This study tests whether a behavioral program started one week before and continued for six weeks after anterior neck surgery can improve swallowing and voice. Fifty adults having ACDF surgery at NYU Langone will participate. They will complete swallowing tests, voice recordings,…

This study tests whether a biofeedback device that shows real-time visuals of swallowing can help stroke survivors with swallowing problems recover better than standard therapy. One hundred participants will be split into two groups: one using biofeedback and the other using only…

This study tests whether applying kinesio tape (a stretchy, therapeutic tape) to the neck muscles can improve swallowing safety in people who have trouble swallowing after a stroke. Researchers will measure changes using video X-rays before and right after taping. The study enrol…

This study looks at whether doing daily breathing exercises before a heart transplant can improve breathing, coughing, and swallowing after surgery. About 90 adults waiting for a heart transplant will take breathing tests and do exercises at home. The goal is to see if this simpl…

This study tests a special mouth exercise program using a device to help people who still have trouble swallowing 12 weeks after a stroke. About 60 participants will be randomly assigned to the program or standard care. The goal is to see if the exercises improve swallowing funct…

This study tests whether a mild, non-invasive brain stimulation technique called tDCS can improve swallowing difficulties in people with Parkinson's disease. 58 participants will be randomly assigned to receive either real tDCS or a sham (fake) version, alongside standard swallow…

This study tests two breathing exercises together in people with ALS to see if they can improve cough strength and lung function. About 34 participants will practice lung volume recruitment and expiratory muscle strength training. The goal is to ease breathing problems, reduce co…

This study tests if doing tongue endurance exercises at home for 8 weeks can improve swallowing in adults who had a stroke 3-6 months ago. 70 participants will be randomly assigned to either the real exercise or a sham therapy. The goal is to see if the exercises strengthen tongu…

This study tests a special device that people with swallowing problems (dysphagia) use to exercise their throat muscles. Over six weeks, participants do three daily sessions with the device and have X-ray swallowing tests before and after. The goal is to see if the device improve…

This study tests a new therapy to improve coughing and swallowing in people with Parkinson's disease, aiming to prevent pneumonia—a leading cause of death. Researchers will compare the same treatment given in-person or via telehealth to see which works better. About 120 participa…

This study looks at how swallowing is affected in older adults who have both muscle loss (sarcopenia) and swallowing difficulty (dysphagia). Researchers will use video X-rays and muscle sensors to measure how the throat muscles work during swallowing. The goal is to better unders…

This study looks at how muscle wasting in the mouth and throat affects swallowing in critically ill adults in the ICU. Researchers will measure muscle size and strength, and test swallowing safety in 160 patients. The goal is to find better ways to diagnose and treat swallowing p…

This study is for adults who are already scheduled for a routine throat scope (gastroscopy). Researchers want to find out if having a small patch of stomach-like tissue in the upper esophagus (called heterotopic gastric mucosa) is linked to swallowing difficulties, indigestion, a…

This study is testing whether thickening liquids changes how safely children with swallowing problems (dysphagia) can swallow. Researchers will use special tools to measure swallowing in up to 200 children, comparing thin and thickened liquids. The goal is to find out if thicker …

This study looks at how a special throat exerciser affects swallowing in healthy young and older adults. Researchers want to see if the device makes the muscles used for swallowing work harder. The goal is to gather basic information, not to treat any condition. About 60 healthy …

This study looks at whether people with Alzheimer's disease have more trouble swallowing than healthy older adults. Researchers will test swallowing, coughing, and muscle strength in 240 participants, and ask caregivers about their experiences. The goal is to better understand ho…

This study looks at two different ways to check for swallowing problems in people who have had a stroke. The goal is to see which test is better at finding trouble swallowing and the risk of food or liquid going into the lungs. About 50 adults who recently had a stroke will take …

This study looks at how common swallowing difficulties are in people over 60 and how severe they can be. Participants who have trouble swallowing will be randomly assigned to one of three treatments: muscle strengthening, skill-based training, or standard care. The goal is to imp…

This study looks at whether a tool called DIGEST helps doctors better measure swallowing problems in cancer patients. About 85 hospitals and clinics will use the tool to see if it improves how they track and treat these issues. The goal is to make swallowing care more consistent …

This study looks at whether patients in the ICU with severe breathing problems can safely eat or drink before they need a breathing tube. Normally, patients are kept fasting to prevent food from getting into the lungs, but this may cause discomfort and malnutrition. The study wil…

This study is translating and testing several assessment tools for neurogenic dysphagia (swallowing problems caused by neurological conditions like stroke or Parkinson's) into Italian. Researchers will enroll about 100 adults to check if these tools are reliable and consistent. T…

This study tests a new, non-invasive wearable patch with a microphone that listens to swallowing sounds in people who have trouble swallowing after a stroke. Researchers will collect these sounds during a standard swallowing X-ray test and use machine learning to find patterns of…

Some head and neck cancer survivors have trouble closing the back of their throat, causing nasal-sounding speech and swallowing problems. This study tests whether a throat injection can plump up the throat wall to improve these issues. Researchers will also use advanced tests to …