External Pharyngeal Exerciser and Dysphagia
Dysphagia
About this trial
This is an interventional treatment trial for Dysphagia
Eligibility Criteria
Inclusion Criteria: Patients with dysphagia characterized by persistent pharyngeal residue on fluoroscopic study undergoing rehabilitative intervention (e.g.: exercises, maneuvers or dietary modification) for improving swallowing and preventing aspiration Healthy elderly adult (≥65 years of age). Exclusion Criteria: Patients younger than 18 years of age. Patients with recent head and neck cancer (<1 month post-surgery or <3 months post-chemo radiation. Patients suffering from muscle diseases like muscular dystrophies, myopathies. Patients with neuro-muscular junction disorders myasthenia gravis, Eaton-Lambert disorders Patients having history of allergy to lidocaine or barium. Patients who are pregnant or lactating. Patients who are medically unstable. Patients who are unable to apply the exerciser independently or with the help of a caregiver. Patients who lack cognition.
Sites / Locations
- Medical College of WisconsinRecruiting
Arms of the Study
Arm 1
Arm 2
Experimental
Sham Comparator
Pharyngeal exerciser group
Sham exerciser group
In this group, the device will be placed around the neck overlying the laryngeal cartilage. Patients are asked to follow exercise regimen: to perform 30 swallows at 15 seconds interval against minimal resistance of 20 mm Hg applied by pharyngeal exerciser over larynx during the first 2 weeks. This is repeated 3 times per day and the external resistance is increased every 2 weeks from 20 to 30 mm Hg and subsequently from 30 to 40 mm Hg in another 2 weeks.
In this group, sham device will be placed around the neck overlying the laryngeal cartilage. No external pressure will be applied during exercise. These patients will be asked to follow the exercise regimen: to perform repetitive tongue protrusion for 5 times without any pressure. This will be repeated 3 times a day for 6 weeks.