Simple breathing trick may help cancer survivors swallow safely

NCT ID NCT05278039

Symptom relief Sponsor: Northwestern University Source: ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

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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Study facts

What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.

Phase

Not a phased trial

Phase numbers describe drug development. The registry uses this when they do not apply, as it does for trials of devices, procedures or behaviour changes, and for observational studies.

Participants

88 people

The number who actually took part.

Started

May 2022

Finished

Apr 2026

Lead sponsor

Other sponsor

The registry's catch-all category, for sponsors it does not file as a company, a government agency, or a research network.

Who can take part

This study's own entry requirements. Only the study team can say for certain whether you qualify.

Ages

18 years and older

Sex

Anyone

Healthy volunteers

Not accepted

This study is not open to healthy volunteers. The entry requirements below say who it is open to.

Show the full entry requirements

Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.

Inclusion Criteria: * Diagnosis of primary head and neck cancer * Three or more months post-completion of first-line cancer treatment * English speaking * Functional/corrected visual and hearing acuity * No current alcohol or other drug abuse * Without very severe (forced expiratory volume; FEV) 1 \<30% predicted) stage Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) based on Pulmonary Function Testing (PFT) * No skin allergy to the medical-grade sensor adhesive * Tolerate wearing the sensor for at least 10 hours/day * Tolerate some liquid oral intake on a routine basis * Normal dexterity to self-administer liquids via teaspoon * Initiation of swallowing during inspiratory phase of respiration on ≥20% of swallows * Penetration Aspiration Scale (PAS) score ≥3 or impairment on at least one MBSImP OI score (laryngeal vestibular closure ≥1, tongue base retraction ≥2, or pharyngeal residue ≥2) on at least one swallow during lateral view of MBSS * A PAS score of ≤6 on at least one liquid consistency without the use of a compensatory strategy or swallow maneuver Exclusion Criteria: * Persistent or recurrent cancer at the time of enrollment * Known allergy to contrast materials or liquids used during the MBSS or training * Known allergy to sensor adhesive * Unable to demonstrate competency with the user-friendly technology * Diagnosis of neurological disorders * Indwelling tracheostomy tube * Nasogastric (NG) feeding tube * History of aspiration pneumonia within the past 12 months * Unable to self-administer liquid boluses * Unable to swallow some liquids without a maneuver * Likely or currently pregnant

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Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

Deglutition Disorders head and neck cancer Head and Neck Neoplasms oropharyngeal carcinoma oropharynx squamous cell carcinoma Squamous Cell Carcinoma of Head and Neck

As listed by the trial registrant

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

Dysphagia Head and neck cancer Oropharyngeal dysphagia Oropharynx squamous cell carcinoma

Simple breathing trick may help cancer survivors swallow safely

What the study statuses mean