Can watching someone eat help you swallow again? new stroke therapy shows promise

NCT ID NCT07184892

Symptom relief Sponsor: Qilu Hospital of Shandong University Source: ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

First seen Jun 26, 2026 · Last updated Jun 26, 2026

Summary

This study tests whether watching real-life swallowing movements (like a family member eating) can improve swallowing function in stroke patients with dysphagia. Ninety participants will be split into three groups: standard therapy, therapy plus watching swallowing videos, or therapy plus watching real-life swallowing. The goal is to see if the real-life observation method works better, using scales, ultrasound, and brain imaging to measure progress.

What this could mean

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

Active substance: action observation therapy (watching swallowing movements)
What this could lead to: If successful, this could offer a simple, low-cost way to improve swallowing recovery after stroke, potentially reducing complications like malnutrition and pneumonia.
What could go wrong: This is an early-stage study with only 90 participants, so results may not apply to all stroke patients. The therapy relies on patient engagement and may not work for those with severe cognitive impairment.

This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.

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

About 90 people

The number the study aims to enrol. It can still change while the study runs.

Started

Jan 2025

Expected to finish

Jan 2027

An estimate. End dates often move.

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 to 80 years

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: * 1: 1.n accordance with the diagnostic criteria formulated by the Fourth National Academic Conference on Cerebrovascular disease; 2: 2.Dysphagia was detected by water swallowing test; 3: 3.First onset, course of disease within 6 months, the condition is stable; 4: 4.Mini-mental state examination (MMSE) score, literacy \>=17 points, primary education \>=20 points, secondary education \>=24 points, can understand and cooperate with treatment; 5: 5.Have a certain degree of sitting balance ability, can maintain a sitting position for 30 minutes; 6: 6.Aged 18-80 years old; 7: 7.The patient was informed and consented to this study, and the patient's family was informed and trained, and could cooperate with the adjuvant treatment of swallowing movement observation therapy in daily life. Exclusion Criteria: * 1: Patients with impaired swallowing function due to other reasons; 2: Presence of tumors or other lesions in the mouth or throat; 3: Visual and hearing dysfunction; 4: The presence of agnosia, apraxia or unilateral neglect; 5: Severe cognitive impairment and mental and emotional instability can not cooperate with treatment; 6: Implantation or retention of ferromagnetic metals in the brain.

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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.

Stroke

How to take part

Only the study team decides who joins. These are the ways to reach them.

The places running it

1 site. The list below names each one and where it is.
The official record

ClinicalTrials.gov lists the study team's own contact details, including names and phone numbers. We don't republish those.

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Can watching someone eat help you swallow again? new stroke therapy shows promise

What the study statuses mean