Mind over mouth: mental practice may ease Post-Stroke swallowing trouble

NCT ID NCT07656844

First seen Jun 25, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026 · Updated 1 time

Summary

This study tested whether adding mental practice of swallowing to standard therapy helps people who have trouble swallowing after a stroke. 43 adults were split into three groups: one watched swallowing videos then imagined the action, one just imagined swallowing, and one had only standard therapy. After 4 weeks, researchers measured changes in swallowing safety and function. The goal was to see if imagining swallowing, especially with video guidance, could improve recovery.

What this could mean

Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.

Active substance

motor imagery training (mental practice of swallowing, with or without video observation)

What this could lead to

If it works, this could offer a simple, low-cost addition to standard therapy for improving swallowing after stroke.

What could go wrong

This is a small, completed study (43 people) with no blinding of participants. Results may not apply to all stroke survivors, and the effect may be modest.

Disclaimer Read more

This is a summary of the original study . Summaries may miss details or leave out important information. Before applying or accepting participation, make sure you have read and understood the full study. Curemydisease.com takes no responsibility whatsoever for anything missed, misunderstood, or acted upon as a result of our summary — we know it does not capture everything.

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Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

Deglutition Disorders stroke disorder

As listed by the trial registrant

The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.

Contacts and locations

Locations

  • Ankara Etlik City Hospital, Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Clinic

    Ankara, Ankara, 06170, Turkey (Türkiye)