TOPIC

Dysphagia research

Everything we have read on dysphagia. Each paper is summarised from the full article rather than its abstract, so the limitations are in there too, and the funding wherever the paper declares it.

715 PAPERS · PAGE 1 OF 15 · NEWEST FIRST

• OTSLPQualitative2018"It's a Long-Term Process": Description of Daily Family Life When a Child Has a Feeding Disorder.Journal of pediatric health care : official publication of National Association of Pediatric Nurse Associates & PractitionersParents of children with feeding disorders described daily life as dictated by the need to feed. They reported extreme time demands, anxiety, and social isolation because their children could not eat outside the home or be fed by others. Care was experienced as reactive and uncoordinated.
• SLPRNSurvey2019Symptom distress and interference among cancer patients with osteoradionecrosis of jaw: A cross-sectional study.International journal of nursing sciencesPatients with osteoradionecrosis of the jaw after radiotherapy reported a heavy symptom burden: 97.9% had at least one symptom, and limited mouth opening was the worst. Ask about mouth opening, swallowing, speech, hearing and distress.
• SLPRNSurvey2020Correlation Between Postoperative Health-Related Quality of Life and Care Needs of Oral Cancer Patients.Cancer nursingTrouble with social contacts, swallowing problems, teeth problems, and feeling ill were associated with higher care needs in postoperative oral cancer patients. Health information needs were highest. This is an association, not proof that treating symptoms lowers needs.
• SLPRNCohort2021Oral health matters in cognitive impaired aged residents in geriatric care facilities: A cross-sectional survey.Nursing openIn 657 Shanghai geriatric residents, those with cognitive impairment had worse oral health than those without. Only 9.9% had received an oral health assessment, and 26.3% received oral care.
• SLPRNSurvey2022Translation of the Chinese version of the Self-Care for Aspiration Pneumonia Prevention Scale and its validation among Chinese community dwelling elderly with risk of dysphasia.Nursing openA translated self-care questionnaire for older adults at risk of swallowing problems gave consistent scores in 430 people. Their average score was 64.41 on a 21 to 105 point range. This was moderate self-care for preventing aspiration pneumonia.
• SLPCohort2023Clinical profile and recovery pattern of dysphagia in the COVID-19 patient: A prospective observational cohort within NSW.Australian critical care : official journal of the Confederation of Australian Critical Care NursesMost ICU patients with COVID-19 referred to speech pathology had swallowing impairment, often profound, but 81% resolved before discharge. Longer intubation, ventilation and stay tracked with slower oral intake and feeding recovery.
• SLPOther2023Developing strategies "SATIA": How to manage dysphagia in older people? A Delphi panel consensus.Nursing openExperts agreed 53 strategies for older people with swallowing problems, from screening and assessment to feeding, oral care and team management. These are recommendations, not tested treatments.
• SLPQualitative2023Bottle-feeding techniques for children with cleft lip and palate experiencing feeding difficulties.International journal of nursing sciencesNurses and midwives reported many bottle-feeding techniques for infants with cleft lip and palate. Nipple placement conflicted: close the cleft to create negative pressure, or avoid the cleft to prevent ulceration. Effectiveness was not tested.
• OTSLPRNOther2023Symptom Cluster Experiences of Patients Operated for Oral Cancer: A Mixed Methods Study.Seminars in oncology nursingMost patients operated for oral cancer had co-occurring symptoms. Sixty-one percent formed a subgroup with severe swallowing/chewing and teeth problems, plus more speech difficulty, dry mouth, pain, fatigue, distress and daily-life interference. Older, stage III or IV, buccal or alveolar cancers were linked to it.
• SLPRNCohort2024Nutrition delivery across hospitalisation in critically ill patients with COVID-19: An observational study of the Australian experience.Australian critical care : official journal of the Confederation of Australian Critical Care NursesMost ICU survivors with COVID-19 received nutrition by mouth, but tube feeding made up most ICU feeding days and was concentrated in ventilated patients. On the ward, appetite and swallowing symptoms were common; 11% received supplements at discharge.
• SLPRNCohort2023Acute Antipsychotic Use and Presence of Dysphagia Among Older Veterans with Heart Failure.Journal of the American Medical Directors AssociationOlder veterans with heart failure who received antipsychotics in hospital were more likely to have swallowing problems. Dysphagia was recorded in 26.2% of users versus 12.7% of non-users, and risk rose with more days.
• PTSLPRNCase Report2024Probable Non-Ventilator-Associated Hospital-Acquired Pneumonia: A Case Report.Critical care nurseProbable non-ventilator hospital-acquired pneumonia developed in one hospitalized older adult after days without oral care, with oral Neisseria rising and oral health score worsening. Daily oral care, accessible supplies, early mobility, and dysphagia screening are prevention points; this case cannot prove they worked.
• SLPSystematic Review2024Nurses' practices in stroke-related dysphagia in low- and middle-income countries.CurationisNurses in low- and middle-income countries sometimes used informal swallowing checks, overlooked silent aspiration risk, and needed more training and speech-language therapist collaboration.
• SLPRNQualitative2024Home caregiver strategies for feeding older adults with dysphagia after dehospitalization.Revista da Escola de Enfermagem da U S PCaregivers described cooking food longer, blending it smooth, keeping older adults sitting up, and cleaning mouths after meals. Some did not remember discharge instructions and could not access speech therapy, so oral feeding changes sometimes happened without professional guidance.
• SLPSurvey2025Oral intake of solid medications in patients with post-stroke dysphagia. A challenge for nurses?Journal of clinical nursingNurses in stroke units reported avoiding whole tablets or capsules in suspected acute dysphagia. Many preferred non-oral routes, but some crushed or divided tablets, often using apple sauce or yoghurt.
• SLPRNCohort2025Factors Influencing Discharges to Hospice for Patients With Late-Stage Huntington's Disease.The American journal of hospice & palliative careOnly 7.0% of late-stage Huntington's disease hospitalizations were discharged to hospice. Palliative care, weight loss, ventilation, and later study year were linked to hospice; depression, cognitive disorder, low income, and Medicare were linked to other discharge outcomes.
• SLPRNSystematic Review2024The perceptions and experiences of caregivers of patients with dysphagia: A qualitative meta-synthesis.Nursing openCaregivers of adults with swallowing problems felt exhausted, anxious and guilty, spent more time on meals, avoided eating out and lacked practical dysphagia advice. They wanted clear, personalised teaching and ongoing family support.
• SLPRNMeta-Analysis2025Predictors of recovery from dysphagia after stroke: A systematic review and meta-analysis.International journal of nursing sciencesOlder age, lower BMI, bilateral stroke, higher NIHSS score, tracheal intubation, and aspiration were unfavorable factors for swallowing recovery after stroke; recovery rose from 13.53% at one week to 95% at six months.
• SLPQualitative2025'They don't know what to do with our children': Experiences and views on feeding and swallowing from parents of children who use long-term ventilation.Journal of child health care : for professionals working with children in the hospital and communityParents of children who use long-term ventilation said feeding problems disrupted family meals, outings and bonding. They reported gaps in speech and language therapy, especially expertise in ventilation-related swallowing and clear plans after assessments.
• SLPOther2025The Characteristics and Effectiveness of Oral Healthcare Education Interventions for Stroke Clinicians: A Scoping Review.Journal of clinical nursingOral care education for stroke clinicians improved some knowledge and attitudes, but did not consistently change bedside practice or show patient outcome improvements. Most interventions bundled education with protocols, tools, products, and support staff.
• SLPRNOther2026Assessment of Dry Mouth in a Palliative Population: A Comparison Between Patient-Reported Symptoms and Clinical Oral Dryness Scale Measurements.The American journal of hospice & palliative carePalliative patients rated dry mouth severe in 30% and moderate in 52.5%; objective oral dryness was severe in 5%, moderate in 25%, mild in 10%. 85% reported difficulty talking. Ask patients about speech, eating and sleep, not just the mouth exam.
• SLPQualitative2026Stroke Coordinators' Perspectives on Sustaining Use of Fever, Sugar (Hyperglycaemia) and Swallow (FeSS) Protocols. Process Evaluation Using a Sustainability Framework.Journal of advanced nursingStroke coordinators said sustained use of fever, high sugar and swallowing protocols depended on maintaining local pathways, relationships with emergency, speech pathology and doctors, and management support for stroke care.
• SLPRNSurvey2026Experiences and insights from parents of children with temporary feeding tubes.Journal of child health care : for professionals working with children in the hospital and communityParents of children with temporary nasogastric feeding tubes found insertion distressing and home management hard, especially after discharge. They valued clear information and involvement in decisions, but some got inconsistent advice and wanted peer support.
• SLPRNQualitative2026Patient Perspectives on Inpatient Mealtimes: Insights on Swallowing, Mental Wellbeing and Recovery.International journal of mental health nursingThirteen adults on mental health wards described shared dining as stressful, crowded and controlling, with queues, fixed menus and staff supervision reducing choice. Some linked anxiety to faster eating and greater choking worries.
• SLPRNOther2026Enhanced Moisture-Focused, Nurse-Led Oral Care Improves Oral Health and Suppresses Bacterial Overgrowth in Mechanically Ventilated ICU Patients: A Quasi-Experimental Study.Nursing in critical careIncreasing moisturising frequency based on oral health scores preserved oral moisture and reduced bacterial overgrowth in intubated patients. This nurse-led, chlorhexidine-free protocol was associated with fewer swallowing problems after extubation and shorter ICU stays compared to standard care.
• PTOTSLPCohort2026Functional recovery and mortality after intensive inpatient rehabilitation for severe acquired brain injury in older adults: a retrospective cohort study.Frontiers in rehabilitation sciencesOlder adults after severe acquired brain injury who had swallowing problems and diabetes at admission had poorer function at discharge. Death during inpatient rehabilitation was more common in older patients.
• SLPNarrative Review2025Clinical Applications of Laryngeal Ultrasonography: A Review.Journal of voice : official journal of the Voice FoundationThis narrative review summarizes existing literature on laryngeal ultrasound. It reports no new patient data or outcomes, so there is no primary evidence here to change clinical practice.
• SLPCohort2026An Exploratory Assessment on Differing Supplemental Feeding Methods and Associated Pediatric Neurorehabilitation Outcomes.Archives of rehabilitation research and clinical translationChildren and teens after acquired brain injury improved diet level during inpatient rehabilitation. Among those nil by mouth at admission, gastrostomy tube status was associated with larger cognitive gains, but tube choice was not random.
• SLPCohort2026Disorders of Consciousness in Acute Care: Application of the CRS-R and Respiratory, Swallowing, and Discharge Outcomes at a Level 1 Trauma Hospital.Archives of rehabilitation research and clinical translationIn 68 adults with severe disorders of consciousness, consciousness improved by discharge. Many tolerated speaking-valve and capping trials, and swallowing progressed from no oral intake, but this was descriptive.
• SLPSystematic Review2026Bibliometric and Thematic Review of Research Studies Reporting Swallowing Data across Multiple Consistencies (2012-2024).DysphagiaResearch on swallowing across food and liquid textures has grown, but many studies do not clearly define dysphagia, confirm it, or describe participants. Check how texture and diagnosis were defined before applying findings to diet changes.
• SLPOther2026Acoustic Markers of Laryngeal Function and Swallowing Safety in Community-Dwelling Older Adults: An Exploratory Study.Journal of voice : official journal of the Voice FoundationIn older adults, self-reported swallowing and voice symptoms did not match endoscopic airway invasion. A connected-speech noise measure was the most consistent acoustic signal linked to invasion, but this was exploratory and needs checking.
• SLPOther2026Upward Effortful Pitch Glide as a Predictor of Pharyngeal Constriction in Individuals With Upper Versus Lower Motor Neuron Lesions.American journal of speech-language pathologyDuring an upward pitch glide, nasoendoscopic ratings of pharyngeal constriction matched fluoroscopic swallowing measures in lower motor neuron lesions but not upper motor neuron lesions. For upper motor neuron dysphagia, do not infer swallowing constriction from the glide alone.
• SLPOther2026Interprofessional Education with Graduate Students in Dietetics and Speech-Language Pathology: A Sequential-Explanatory Investigation.Seminars in speech and languageAfter two one-hour dysphagia team learning sessions, graduate speech-language and dietetics students reported higher teamwork, role clarity, and perceived patient-outcome impact. Their reflections showed sharper role boundaries and shared risk reasoning.
• SLPOther2026Implementation of a Self-Help Swallowing Exercise Program in Head and Neck Cancer.Folia phoniatrica et logopaedica : official organ of the International Association of Logopedics and Phoniatrics (IALP)Head Matters was adopted by 13 of 14 Dutch head and neck cancer centres and implemented in 11. Professionals found it usable, but barriers included low digital literacy, fatigue, unclear responsibilities, and limited long-term outcome evidence. This describes rollout, not proven swallowing benefit.
• SLPOther2026Relationship Between EAT-10 Scores, Pharyngeal Residue Severity, and Penetration-Aspiration in Individuals With Idiopathic Parkinson's Disease: A FEES-Based Correlation and Discriminative Performance Study.International journal of language & communication disordersAcross FEES trials, more pharyngeal residue was linked to higher penetration-aspiration scores. The EAT-10 tracked these findings and may help decide who needs instrumental assessment, but it does not measure swallowing physiology directly.
• SLPQualitative2026Exploring Practice Approaches and Opinions of International Speech and Language Therapists in the Assessment and Management of Oropharyngeal Swallowing in Adults on High-flow Nasal Oxygen: A Focus Group Study.International journal of language & communication disordersTherapists assess swallowing in adults on high-flow oxygen by considering the patient's stability and readiness rather than using a standard screening tool. They rely on bedside exams but vary widely in using instrumental assessments due to access and patient fluctuation, citing a lack of evidence.
• SLPOther2016Effect of neuromuscular electrical stimulation on facial muscle strength and oral function in stroke patients with facial palsy.Journal of physical therapy scienceIn nine stroke patients with facial palsy and oral swallowing problems, cheek and lip strength increased after four weeks of facial electrical stimulation, and oral phase swallowing score decreased. No comparison group was included, so natural recovery may explain the changes.
• SLPSurvey2016Analysis of dysphagia risk using the modified dysphagia risk assessment for the community-dwelling elderly.Journal of physical therapy science52.6% of community-dwelling Korean elders were classified as high risk for dysphagia. Older age, dentures, and needing partial daily-living help were linked to higher risk. The cross-sectional survey cannot show these factors cause swallowing problems.
• SLPRCT2016Effect of orofacial myofunctional exercise on the improvement of dysphagia patients' orofacial muscle strength and diadochokinetic rate.Journal of physical therapy scienceStroke patients with swallowing problems improved more in tongue, cheek, lip strength and rapid /Pa/ and /Ta/ sounds when orofacial exercises were added to temperature-tactile stimulation. The study did not test orofacial exercise alone.
• PTOTSLPCase Report2016Case report of meningiomatosis with aspiration of a dental bridge improved by comprehensive rehabilitation therapy.Journal of physical therapy scienceAn aspirated fixed dental bridge was removed on the second bronchoscopy. The patient also walked about 5 meters with a rolling walker. One case cannot show what caused the gain.
• SLPNarrative Review2016Dysphagia in Duchenne muscular dystrophy: practical recommendations to guide management.Disability and rehabilitationScreen late non-ambulatory Duchenne patients for swallowing problems every 6 months, per expert recommendations. If residue or penetration, stop solids, minced and mashed food; use purees and water. If aspiration, stop oral food and consider gastrostomy and cough assistance.
• PTSLPCohort2017Rate of oral intake and effects of mechanical insufflation-exsufflation on pulmonary complications in patients with duchenne muscular dystrophy.Journal of physical therapy scienceFever rates requiring antibiotics did not show a clear difference across cough-assist periods. 43 of 45 DMD patients on full-time ventilation continued oral intake; several treatments were given together, so cough assist alone cannot be credited.
• SLPCase-Control2016Assessment of impaired coordination between respiration and deglutition in children and young adults with ataxia telangiectasia.Developmental medicine and child neurologyChildren and young adults with ataxia telangiectasia showed less safe breathing-swallowing coordination than healthy peers, especially after swallowing. The method was research-only, and the study did not show these measures predicted symptoms.
• SLPCase Report2017Effects of electrical stimulation combined with dysphagia therapy in elderly individual with oropharyngeal dysphagia: a case study.Journal of physical therapy scienceIn a 72-year-old man with age-related swallowing difficulty, thermal-tactile stimulation, orofacial exercise, and electrical stimulation were followed by improved tongue and lip strength and decreased swallowing scale scores. The treatments were given together, so no single component can be credited.
• OTSLPRCT2017Effects of expiratory muscle strength training on swallowing function in acute stroke patients with dysphagia.Journal of physical therapy scienceAdding expiratory muscle strength training to traditional swallowing therapy showed greater improvement in functional dysphagia, vallecular residue, and penetration-aspiration scores than traditional therapy alone in acute stroke patients with dysphagia. Pyriform residue did not differ.
• SLPRCT2017Independent exercise for glottal incompetence to improve vocal problems and prevent aspiration pneumonia in the elderly: a randomized controlled trial.Clinical rehabilitationIn older adults with age-related vocal cord atrophy, adding a two-minute daily guided vocal exercise to a brochure lowered six-month pneumonia hospitalizations (2 of 199 vs 18 of 216) compared with a brochure alone.
• SLPCohort2017Predictors of Six-month Change in the Voice Handicap Index in a Treatment-seeking Population.Journal of voice : official journal of the Voice FoundationRecorded voice treatment, medication, or surgery after evaluation did not predict six-month change in patient-reported voice handicap. Higher initial voice handicap and higher education did predict greater improvement.
• SLPSurvey2017Variables associated with communicative participation in Parkinson's disease and its relationship to measures of health-related quality-of-life.International journal of speech-language pathologyIn 378 people with Parkinson's disease, self-reported participation in daily communication was linked to perceived speech difficulty, speech use, cognition, emotion, fatigue, swallowing, age, sex and country. A communication-specific measure added information beyond quality-of-life scales.
• SLPSystematic Review2016A Review of Dysphagia Presentation and Intervention Following Traumatic Spinal Injury: An Understudied Population.DysphagiaTraumatic cervical spine injury cases showed aspiration, pharyngeal residue, reduced pharyngeal movement, and decreased hyolaryngeal elevation. Reported care used tube feeding, diet texture changes, swallowing strategies, and steroids or antibiotics. The evidence was mainly case reports, so it does not prove these treatments work.
• SLPOther2016Understanding the Viscosity of Liquids used in Infant Dysphagia Management.DysphagiaMost infant formulas and breastmilk remain thin after adding powdered barium, but Enfamil AR formulas and pre-mixed Liquid E-Z-Paque behave differently. Check the exact product and preparation before assuming a thin liquid.