Simple breathing trick may help cancer survivors swallow safely
NCT ID NCT05278039
First seen Jun 25, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026 · Updated 1 time
Summary
This study tested a new swallowing exercise for people who have trouble swallowing after treatment for head and neck cancer. The exercise trains patients to start swallowing while breathing out, which may help prevent food or liquid from entering the airway. 88 survivors participated, and the study measured changes in swallowing safety and efficiency using video X-rays.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- Respiratory-swallow phase training (a behavioral exercise)
- What this could lead to
- If it works, this could offer a simple, drug-free exercise to help head and neck cancer survivors swallow more safely and reduce the risk of food or liquid going into the lungs.
- What could go wrong
- This is a small, early-stage study with only 88 participants. The training is behavioral, so results may vary widely, and it may not work for everyone. It also requires multiple clinic visits.
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Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
Contacts and locations
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Locations
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Northwestern Memorial Hospital
Chicago, Illinois, 60611, United States
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Northwestern University
Evanston, Illinois, 60208, United States
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