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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 11 OF 15 · NEWEST FIRST

• SLPOther2025Accuracy of Dysphagia Screening by Non-clinical Research Staff in the Emergency Department.DysphagiaNon-clinical emergency research staff trained for 4 hours made swallow-screen pass/fail decisions similar to speech-language pathologists in 42 older adults. Agreement was slightly closer for the TOR-BSST than for the 3-ounce water test. This supports research screening, not clinical decisions.
• SLPCohort2025SARS-CoV-2 and Dysphagia: A Retrospective Analysis of COVID-19 Patients with Swallowing Disorders.DysphagiaHospitalized COVID-19 patients with neurocognitive disorders or severe respiratory impairment were significantly more likely to develop dysphagia. All patients without respiratory support were negative for swallowing disorders. This identifies high-risk groups needing early speech therapy screening.
• SLPCohort2025Association between Swallowing Outcomes and Dose to Critical Swallow Structures in Patients Undergoing Transoral Robotic Surgery and Post-Operative Radiation Therapy.DysphagiaIn patients undergoing surgery and radiation for throat cancer, radiation to the neck alone resulted in better swallowing quality of life at 12 months than radiation to the primary site and neck. Higher radiation doses to specific swallowing muscles were associated with worse outcomes.
• SLPPilot2025A Modified Fiberoptic Endoscopic Evaluation of Swallowing Evaluating Esophageal Dysphagia by a Capsule: A Pilot Study.DysphagiaSwallowing an empty capsule during a standard FEES exam allowed clinicians to spot esophageal problems in patients whose initial scan looked normal. The test was well-tolerated and matched later gastroenterology findings, suggesting it could help screen for esophageal dysphagia in the clinic.
• SLPOther2025The Oropharyngeal Dysphagia Screening Test for Patients and Professionals: Validation in Cognitive Impairment and in Severe Mental Illness.DysphagiaCaregiver-completed ODS-PP scores were higher in institutionalized older adults with previously diagnosed dysphagia than in those without, across cognitive impairment and severe mental illness groups. It may help SLPs flag swallowing risk without a food trial.
• SLPOther2025Can Voice Parameters Provide Cutoff Values to Predict Dysphagia in Individuals with Multiple Sclerosis?DysphagiaShimmer values above 1.69 before swallowing and 1.57 after predict dysphagia risk in multiple sclerosis, with moderate accuracy. These acoustic measures offer a low-cost screening aid, but cannot replace instrumental assessment for confirming aspiration.
• SLPOther2025Clinical Implementation of DIGEST as an Evidence-Based Practice Tool for Videofluoroscopy in Oncology: A Six-Year Single Institution Implementation Evaluation.DysphagiaA new swallowing severity tool was used in 93% of over 13,000 videofluoroscopy exams at a cancer center. Clinicians recorded it accurately in almost all cases. It fits easily into existing workflows, though it cannot be used for patients with total laryngectomies or fistulas.
• SLPCohort2025Fiberoptic Endoscopy Evaluation of Swallowing (FEES) Findings Associated with High Pneumonia Risk in a Cohort of Patients at Risk of Dysphagia.DysphagiaAspiration seen on swallowing endoscopy (FEES) was independently linked to pneumonia in patients at risk of dysphagia. Penetration and residue were associated only when aspiration was also present, so aspiration is the key finding for pneumonia risk.
• SLPRCT2025Cortical Activation during Swallowing Exercise Tasks: an fNIRS Pilot Study.DysphagiaEffortful saliva swallowing produced the strongest left motor cortex activation in healthy young adults, higher than normal swallowing or tongue pressing. Tongue pressing did not produce greater motor activation than normal swallowing, and sensory-region changes did not separate the tasks.
• PTOTSLPCohort2025Prevalence of function-limiting late effects in survivors of head and neck cancer.PM & R : the journal of injury, function, and rehabilitationSurvivors of head and neck cancer referred to rehabilitation had high rates of complex late effects. Ninety-two percent had swallowing difficulty, eighty-six percent had facial or neck lymphedema, and seventy-eight percent had cranial nerve dysfunction, indicating a need for comprehensive multidisciplinary assessment.
• SLPOther2025Validation of the European Portuguese Version of the Yale Pharyngeal Severity Rating Scale.DysphagiaThe European Portuguese Yale Pharyngeal Severity Rating Scale shows excellent agreement when the same expert rates the same images twice. Agreement between different raters is moderate overall but high among those with experience using the scale. New users need training before relying on it.
• SLPOther2025Validity and Reliability of Dysphagia Outcome Severity Scale (DOSS) When Used to Rate Flexible Endoscopic Evaluations of Swallowing (FEES).DysphagiaExperienced speech pathologists using the Swedish Dysphagia Outcome Severity Scale to rate silent endoscopic videos agreed strongly with each other and with the gold standard assessment. The scale appears valid and reliable for use with FEES, even without audio or patient history.
• SLPOther2025Relationship between International Dysphagia Diet Standardisation Initiative Flow Test and Consistometric Measures for Consistency Classification: An Examination of Thickened Liquids Prepared Using Starch-Based and Xanthan Gum-Based Thickening Agents.Folia phoniatrica et logopaedica : official organ of the International Association of Logopedics and Phoniatrics (IALP)For water thickened with starch or xanthan gum, IDDSI syringe readings and Bostwick distances moved together. Starch followed a straight-line equation; xanthan gum curved. Use the equations only for IDDSI levels 1 to 3.
• SLPCohort2025Do Orally Disintegrating Tablets Facilitate Medical Adherence and Clinical Outcomes in Patients with Post-stroke Dysphagia?DysphagiaOlder post-stroke patients with swallowing rehabilitation who took orally disintegrating tablets did not have better medication adherence, fewer cardiovascular events, or fewer aspiration pneumonia admissions than those taking other tablets. Both groups had adherence above 80%.
• SLPOther2025Sensory Changes Related to Swallowing in Motor Neurone Disease.DysphagiaMost studies found reduced taste, smell, and laryngeal sensation in motor neurone disease, but evidence quality was low and findings were contradictory. Clinicians should consider sensory changes when assessing swallowing safety, particularly silent aspiration risk, despite limited high-quality proof.
• SLPOther2025Efficacy and Safety of "Vacuum Swallowing" Based on a Strong Negative Esophageal Pressure in Healthy Individuals.DysphagiaHealthy adults successfully reproduced vacuum swallowing, generating strong negative pressure in the esophagus. While no choking occurred, inspiration during swallowing was frequent. This technique remains untested in dysphagia patients, so clinical application requires further study.
• PTOTSLPCohort2025Impact of Frailty on Post-Treatment Dysphagia in Patients with Head and Neck Cancer.DysphagiaPatients with head and neck cancer who were frail before treatment had worse swallowing quality of life and higher toxicity-related dysphagia scores at every check up to 24 months after treatment. Frailty status was associated with worse outcomes, but both frail and non-frail patients deteriorated significantly.
• SLPPilot2025The Effects of Adding Particles in Texture Modified Food on Tongue Strength and Swallowing Function in Patients with Oropharyngeal Dysphagia: A Proof of Concept Study.DysphagiaSwallowing safety did not differ when pureed food contained small or large carrot particles, and tongue strength did not change, in 10 patients with dysphagia.
• SLPOther2025Analysis of Patients' Dietary Status/Restrictions Following Instrumental Swallow Evaluations in Skilled Nursing Facilities.DysphagiaAfter mobile swallow evaluations in skilled nursing facilities, many residents were recommended less restrictive diets and liquids. Thin liquids were recommended for 651 residents after the evaluation, compared with 301 before. The paper did not confirm that residents tolerated these changes.
• SLPOther2025Reliability and Confidence of Dynamic Imaging Grade of Swallowing Toxicity (DIGEST) Rating Among Research and Clinical Speech Pathologists Before and After Implementation of a Training Manual: A Multi-site Study.DysphagiaAfter a written training manual for DIGEST, a swallowing grading method, 23 speech pathologists' video ratings matched the lab standard a median 84% of the time, compared with a median 76% among 32 raters at baseline. Confidence rose, but confidence did not track accuracy.
• PTOTSLPCohort2024Quality of life in dysphagia and functional performance of cancer patients in palliative care.CoDASFor palliative cancer outpatients, worse physical performance tracked with a greater perceived impact of swallowing difficulties on quality of life. This link was not seen in inpatients. The study measured self-reported complaints rather than swallowing function, so it cannot confirm the cause.
• PTOTSLPSystematic Review2025Adherence of Clinical Practice Guidelines for Oropharyngeal Dysphagia in Parkinson Disease to Trustworthy Standards: A Systematic Survey.DysphagiaMost Parkinson's dysphagia guidelines fail trustworthy standards. They rarely specify screening or monitoring, rely on expert opinion, and offer vague advice. Clinicians should treat existing guidance as low-quality and prioritize individualized assessment over protocol adherence.
• SLPOther2025Validation of the Swedish Dynamic Imaging Grade of Swallowing Toxicity for Flexible Endoscopic Evaluation of Swallowing (DIGEST-FEES).DysphagiaSwedish DIGEST-FEES ratings agreed with established swallowing measures and between two experienced speech-language pathologists. It can be used to assess head and neck cancer swallowing after radiotherapy.
• SLPOther2024Variability in quantitative outcomes of instrumental swallowing assessments in adults: a scoping review.CoDASQuantitative measures from instrumental swallowing exams varied from low to high across 13 studies. The exams, parameters, bolus volumes and consistencies were not standardized, so single values are hard to interpret or compare.
• SLPOther2024The influence of temperature variation on the levels of the International Dysphagia Diet Standardization Initiative.CoDASHospital food tested before serving may not match what patients receive. Porridge became thicker than its assigned IDDSI level after one hour. Different cooks produced different textures for porridge and smoothies. Check consistency at the bedside, not just at preparation.
• SLPNarrative Review2025Chemotherapy/Radiotherapy-Induced Dysphagia in Head and Neck Tumors: A Challenge for Otolaryngologists in Low- to Middle-Income Countries.DysphagiaThis review outlines how chemoradiotherapy causes dysphagia in head and neck cancer, noting silent aspiration occurs in up to 50% of patients. It recommends early speech pathology evaluation and swallowing exercises to prevent muscle atrophy, especially where advanced imaging is unavailable.
• SLPOther2024Student perspectives of simulated learning to improve their dysphagia management.The South African journal of communication disorders = Die Suid-Afrikaanse tydskrif vir KommunikasieafwykingsAfter a timed dysphagia simulation with mannequin, feedback and role play, third-year speech-language therapy students reported feeling more confident and better prepared. They also said it should be used alongside real patient exposure, not instead of it.
• OTSLPQualitative2025Daily Challenges and Resources of Adults with Chronic Dysphagia: A Qualitative Investigation.DysphagiaMost adults with long-term swallowing problems described challenges beyond physical swallowing, including mealtime routines, food choices and social eating. Many relied on practical coping and family support, while some wanted coordinated swallowing teams.
• SLPNarrative Review2025Revealing Goal-Directed Neural Control of the Pharyngeal Phase of Swallowing.DysphagiaThe pharyngeal swallow is not just a brainstem reflex but a mix of automatic and goal-directed control. The cerebellum, basal ganglia, and cortex tune the swallow based on what you expect to eat. Lesions here cause specific timing and sensory errors.
• SLPSurvey2025Prevalence and Management of Oral Intake Restrictions in Critically Ill Patients: Insights from a Multicenter Point Prevalence Study.DysphagiaMost eligible ICU patients could not eat safely, yet half were never screened for swallowing problems. Nurses did most checks and treatments, with no dedicated speech therapists in any unit. Post-stroke patients were screened far less often than others.
• SLPOther2025Head and Neck Cancer Survivors' Assessment of Mealtimes: Translation and Validation : Assessment and Rehabilitation of Dysphagia in Head and Neck Cancer Patients.DysphagiaThe Dutch HNSAM can assess dysphagia impact in head and neck cancer survivors, but its environmental factors subscale is unreliable. Use the main scores cautiously; avoid detailed environmental-factor scoring.
• SLPCohort2025A Retrospective Review of Clinical Characteristics and Risk Factors of Dysphagia in Patients with Dermatomyositis.DysphagiaSpeech therapists confirmed swallowing problems in 28 of 149 patients with dermatomyositis, and 6 of them had silent aspiration. Older age, shorter disease duration, cancer and use of prednisolone or IVIg were associated with dysphagia.
• PTOTSLPCohort2025Tongue Pressure and Grip Strength as Indicators of Persistent Dysphagia After Acute Stroke.DysphagiaLow tongue pressure and grip strength measured within 48 hours of acute stroke admission independently predicted dysphagia persisting to discharge. Skeletal muscle mass and stroke severity (NIHSS) did not. Early bedside measures of oral and general strength may help flag patients needing longer-term feeding or rehab planning.
• SLPOther2025A Ducted, Biomimetic Nipple Improves Aspects of Infant Feeding Physiology and Performance in an Animal Model.DysphagiaIn infant pigs, a solid nipple with narrow ducts reduced aspiration risk and increased suction pressure compared to a standard hollow nipple. Pigs raised on the ducted nipple showed the greatest safety benefits, even with larger boluses.
• SLPOther2025eTWST: An Extension to the Timed Water Swallow Test for Increased Dysphagia Screening Accuracy.DysphagiaSeparate speed cutoffs for men and women, plus coughing or a wet or gurgly voice, made the water swallow screen predict dysphagia on FEES better than the original 10 mL/s cutoff.
• PTOTSLPCohort2025Time to Onset of Dysphagia Following Head and Neck Radiation.DysphagiaNew swallowing problems mostly appear within six months of head and neck radiation, but 16% emerge later, up to years after treatment. Clinicians should maintain long-term monitoring for all survivors, as new dysphagia remains a risk even after a period of normal function.
• SLPCohort2025Upper Esophageal Sphincter Abnormalities and Esophageal Motility Recovery After Peroral Endoscopic Myotomy for Achalasia.DysphagiaMost achalasia patients had upper sphincter issues that improved after surgery. Those with these issues started with worse swallowing scores. The surgery lowered pressure at both sphincters and helped symptoms, but it did not restore normal muscle movement in the esophagus.
• PTOTSLPPilot2025A Pilot Study of a Modified Swallowing Screening Tool for Critically Ill Patients in the Intensive Care Unit.DysphagiaA modified bedside screening protocol combining ultrasound and specific dye tests allowed 13 ICU patients to safely resume oral feeding without aspiration symptoms. This approach offers a feasible alternative to invasive endoscopy in isolation settings, though its accuracy remains unvalidated against gold-standard tests.
• SLPSystematic Review2025Upper Airway Sensory Testing in Dysphagia - Implications for Clinical Practice and Future Research Directions.DysphagiaThe review found no standard way to test upper airway sensation in swallowing. FEESST and cough reflex tests were most common, but stimuli and normal criteria varied widely. Gag reflex testing is unreliable because many healthy people lack it. Taste testing is cheap but also lacks standard methods.
• SLPQualitative2025Speech and language therapist-led clinics for low-risk suspected head and neck cancer referrals: A qualitative study of ear, nose and throat surgeons' views.International journal of language & communication disordersENT surgeons supported the idea of speech therapists assessing low-risk cancer referrals but disagreed on how to do it safely. They highlighted that therapists need dedicated time, specific endoscopy training, and clear governance rules, rather than just adding this to their existing workload.
• SLPOther2025Validity and Reliability of the M.D. Anderson Dysphagia Inventory in Turkish Patients with Neurological Disease.Folia phoniatrica et logopaedica : official organ of the International Association of Logopedics and Phoniatrics (IALP)The Turkish M.D. Anderson Dysphagia Inventory works well for neurological patients. It takes 5–10 minutes, has no missing data issues, and matches the longer SWAL-QOL. Use it to quickly assess swallowing-related quality of life without cultural bias.
• SLPOther2025Clinical Swallow Examination Following Laryngectomy: An International e-Delphi Consensus Process.DysphagiaInternational speech pathologists agreed on 34 items for examining swallowing after laryngectomy. The framework drops standard checks like voice quality and aspiration, focusing instead on effort, backflow, and the patient's history to match this population's unique anatomy.
• SLPSystematic Review2025Tactile, thermal and gustatory stimulation therapy in the treatment of post-stroke oropharyngeal dysphagia: a scoping review.CoDASOnly three studies examined cold stimulation for post-stroke swallowing. One trial found capsaicin improved swallowing scores over seven days, while two older studies showed mixed duration changes. No studies tested taste stimulation alone. Evidence is too sparse to change practice.
• SLPOther2025Compressed Sensing-Based Cine-MRI for Location of Dysphagia and Swallowing Function assessment in Patients with Head and Neck Cancer: A Comparative Study.DysphagiaIn 36 head and neck cancer patients after treatment and 10 controls, Cine-MRI showed longer swallowing timings, especially with severe dysphagia, and patterns varied by tumor site. It may help locate delays, but does not prove treatment benefit.
• SLPCohort2025Is there a decline in speech and swallowing in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis over ten years?CoDASPatients with bulbar ALS lose speech and salivation control significantly faster than those with spinal ALS. Women showed a higher risk of rapid decline in swallowing, speech, and salivation compared to men.
• SLPQualitative2025A qualitative inquiry of speech-language therapists' views about breastfeeding management.The South African journal of communication disorders = Die Suid-Afrikaanse tydskrif vir KommunikasieafwykingsExperienced therapists described managing infant swallowing issues but reported little training on general breastfeeding support. They used self-made checklists instead of standard tests and relied on extra courses or mentoring to fill gaps in skills for common feeding difficulties.
• SLPOther2025A New, Portable Orofacial Manometer for Measuring Tongue Strength and Endurance in Children: Laboratory-Based Validity Study.JMIR rehabilitation and assistive technologiesA new tongue manometer for children matched a standard pressure gauge in lab tests, with near-perfect agreement across different bulb sizes. It is safe for oral use and works with a game-based app. Clinical testing in children with swallowing issues is still needed.
• SLPSurvey2025Oropharyngeal dysphagia management and informed consent: a survey of speech-language pathologists' practice patterns when recommending modified texture diets.Frontiers in rehabilitation sciencesMost SLPs who recommend modified texture diets do not fully inform patients of the risks. Only 49.7% almost always disclose thickened liquid hazards and 39.9% do so for altered solids, despite evidence that these diets do not prevent pneumonia.
• SLPRCT2025Effects of oral care combined with neuromuscular electrical stimulation on clinical outcomes in the acute phase of acute ischemic stroke: a pilot randomized controlled trial.Journal of neuroengineering and rehabilitationIn acute ischemic stroke, nurse-delivered structured oral care, with or without throat electrical stimulation, improved swallowing and oral hygiene compared with usual care. Pneumonia occurred only in usual-care participants. This pilot cannot tell whether stimulation adds to oral care.
• SLPOther2025Performance of swallowing function between older people with and without clinical complaints.CoDASOlder adults with swallowing complaints had more tongue weakness, hoarse voice, throat residue with liquids, and lower oral intake than those without complaints. Lower intake went with more residue and nutritional risk.