CompletedNot Applicable

Electromagnetic Therapy for Cervicogenic Dysphagia

Saudi Arabia40 participantsStarted 2025-07-01

Plain-language summary

Cervicogenic dysphagia (CD) is a swallowing disorder in patients with cervicogenic pathology. Pulsed electromagnetic therapy (PEMT) is a widely utilized therapeutic modality. Objective: To investigate the effects of PEMT on swallowing function (SF) and dysphagia handicapping effects in patients with CD. Methods: 40 volunteer participants (50-60 years old) with CD and cervical spondylosis were randomly and equally assigned to the study group (PEMT+swallowing resistance training program "SRTP") and control group (placebo PEMT+SRTP). Intervention: All participants received 3 sessions of SRTP (resisted chin tuck-in and resisted swallowing exercises) and 2 PEMT sessions (20 minutes of 20 Hz low frequency, 0.8 milli Tesla low intensity) per week for 8 weeks. Outcome Measures: The SF was evaluated using the swallow difficulty questionnaire "SDQ", and the dysphagia handicapping effects were evaluated using the dysphagia handicap index (DHI) pre-and post-study. Statistical analysis: Within-group comparisons were done using a paired t-test, and the between-group differences were examined using two-way ANOVA; a significant value was set at P\<0.05.

Who can participate

Age range

50 Years – 60 Years

Sex

ALL

See this in plain English?

AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.

Inclusion Criteria: Individuals diagnosed with cervicogenic dysphagia and cervical spondylosis, aged 50-60 years, with a sedentary lifestyle (less than 30 minutes of aerobic activities per day), and who signed the written consent Exclusion Criteria: Subjects diagnosed with rheumatological disease, cerebrovascular abnormalities, having a metal implant or previous cervical surgeries, or having received any physical therapy programs for cervical spondylosis or dysphagia within the last 6 months. Subjects with recent infection, cognitive impairments or dementia, cardiovascular instability, head or neck traumatic injuries, neurological disorders affecting swallowing (e.g., parkinsonism, stroke), those who received medications interfering with normal swallowing function (e.g., antiepileptics, antipsychotics, and antidepressant drugs), and subjects who refused to provide the signed informed consent were all excluded at the beginning of the study.

Questions worth asking your doctor

Bring these to your next appointment. They're a starting point for a shared conversation — not a sign you qualify or a recommendation to enrol.

1Based on my diagnosis and history, is this trial worth exploring for me — or is there a standard treatment we should try first?
2What does this trial's phase tell us about how much is already known about its safety and benefit?
3What would taking part actually involve for me — visits, tests, time, and travel?
4What are the known and possible risks or side effects I should weigh, and how would they be monitored?
5If this trial isn't the right fit, what other options or trials would you suggest I look into?

Generated to help you prepare — always confirm anything about your own eligibility and care with the study team and your doctor.

Questions for the trial coordinator

The trial coordinator is the person who runs the study day to day. These cover the practical side — logistics, costs, and what taking part would actually mean for your life. The study team confirms whether you meet the criteria; these are questions to ask, not a sign you qualify.

1What does taking part actually involve week to week — how many visits, where, and how long does each one take?
2What costs are covered by the study, and what might I have to pay for myself, including travel, parking, or time off work?
3What happens during screening, and what happens if the study team confirms I don't meet the criteria after those tests?
4Who pays for the scans, blood work, and other tests the trial requires — the study, my insurance, or me?
5How will being in the trial affect my regular care, and will my own doctor stay informed and involved?
6Can I leave the trial at any point if I change my mind, and what would happen to my care if I do?

A starting point for the conversation — always confirm anything about your own eligibility, costs, and care with the study team and your doctor.

What they're measuring

Swallowing function

Timeframe: Baseline and post-8 weeks

The dysphagia handicapping effects

Timeframe: Baseline and post 8 weeks.

Trial details

NCT IDNCT07765043

SponsorUmm Al-Qura University

Sponsor typeOTHER

Study typeINTERVENTIONAL

Primary completion2026-03-20

View on ClinicalTrials.gov More Swallowing Disorder.Other Specified trials