This multi-site trial will follow a cohort of Veterans with dysphagia for 8 weeks as they undergo clinically guided oropharyngeal exercises with oropharyngeal strengthening as the primary goal. Veterans with dysphagia will be assessed at three time points: baseline, 4 weeks after treatment initiation, and 8 weeks after treatment initiation. A non-dysphagic Veteran control group will also undergo data collection at parallel time points, without completion of a treatment paradigm. The investigators will then compare patients to non-dysphagic controls using manometry, videofluoroscopy, diet assessment, functional reserve tests, and patient-reported outcome measures. The investigators aim to 1) quantify change in pressure measures of swallowing function resulting from dysphagia treatment; 2) determine which combination of standard of care and/or pressure-based metrics best track with outcome measures; and 3) develop multimodal prognostic algorithms that predict treatment success. This research will establish a precise outcome measurement paradigm suitable for dysphagia clinical care and research, thus improving clinical confidence and paving the way for a personalized medicine approach for dysphagia rehabilitation in Veterans.
Age range
18 Years – 99 Years
Sex
ALL
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A starting point for the conversation — always confirm anything about your own eligibility, costs, and care with the study team and your doctor.
pHRM Pressure Change (Pharyngeal)
Timeframe: Baseline and 8 weeks
pHRM Pressure Change (Mesopharyngeal)
Timeframe: Baseline and 8 weeks
Swallowing Clinical and Fluoroscopic Change (MBSImP)
Timeframe: Baseline and 8 weeks
Patient Reported Outcome Changes (SSQ)
Timeframe: Baseline and 8 weeks