Simple tongue workouts could cut pneumonia risk in dementia patients
NCT ID NCT03682081
First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jul 16, 2026 · Updated 2 times
Summary
This study tested whether tongue-strengthening exercises using a special device could improve swallowing in people with Alzheimer's disease and related dementias. 76 participants with mild to moderate dementia did exercises over 8 weeks. The goal was to reduce food or liquid going into the lungs, which can cause pneumonia. Researchers measured changes in swallowing safety 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
- Iowa Oral Performance Instrument (IOPI) device for tongue strengthening exercises
- What this could lead to
- If successful, this could lead to a simple, non-drug therapy to help people with dementia swallow more safely and lower their risk of pneumonia.
- What could go wrong
- This is a small, completed study (76 participants) without a later phase, so results may not apply broadly. The exercises require active participation, which may be challenging for some with advanced dementia.
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
-
76 people
The number who actually took part.
- Started
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Sep 2020
- Finished
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Nov 2025
- Lead sponsor
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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
-
50 to 99 years
- Sex
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Anyone
- Healthy volunteers
-
Not accepted
This study is not open to healthy volunteers. The entry requirements below say who it is open to.
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Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.
Inclusion criteria (patients): * Age 50-99 * English speaking * Diagnosis of dementia or cognitive impairment or memory loss * Clinical Dementia Rating (CDR) scale score between 0.5 and 2.0 * Actively involved caregiver * Resides at home, assisted living facility, or long-term care facility Inclusion criteria (caregivers) * English speaking * Age 18 and older * Contact with patient at least 1 time a week * Has access to a working telephone Exclusion criteria (patients): * Dementia due to cerebrovascular disease as primary cause * History of head and neck cancer or other structural deformity that can affect swallowing * Allergy to barium * Currently breastfeed or pregnant or planning to become pregnant Exclusion criteria (caregivers): * Lacks ability to give consent
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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
Locations
-
University of Wisconsin-Madison
Madison, Wisconsin, 53705, United States
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