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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 4 OF 15 · NEWEST FIRST

• SLPPilot2020Reducing Late Dysphagia for Head and Neck Cancer Survivors with Oral Gel: A Feasibility Study.DysphagiaHead and neck cancer survivors reported easier swallowing and better social eating after using an oral gel before meals. Scores improved for dry breads and regular foods. No objective tests confirmed safety against aspiration, so treat this as a subjective relief option, not a proven fix.
• SLPOther2020Transcutaneous Electrical Stimulation on the Submental Area: The Relations of Biopsychological Factors with Maximum Amplitude Tolerance and Perceived Discomfort Level.DysphagiaHealthy older adults who catastrophized about pain tolerated lower electrical stimulation amplitudes. Those who used distraction reported less discomfort at their maximum tolerated level. Gender, pain sensitivity, and submental fat thickness did not predict tolerance or discomfort.
• SLPOther2020Variations in Healthy Swallowing Mechanics During Various Bolus Conditions Using Computational Analysis of Swallowing Mechanics (CASM).DysphagiaHealthy young adults swallow differently when bolus conditions change. Group averages hide this because each person adapts uniquely. Clinicians should assess patients against their own baseline rather than assuming a single normal response to thicker or larger boluses.
• SLPOther2020Optimizing the Translational Value of Mouse Models of ALS for Dysphagia Therapeutic Discovery.DysphagiaA low-copy ALS mouse model showed slower swallowing and tongue atrophy, while the common high-copy model showed slower swallowing without the same tongue atrophy.
• SLPOther2020Reduced Coordination of Hyolaryngeal Elevation and Bolus Movement in a Pig Model of Preterm Infant Swallowing.DysphagiaExternal neck video reliably identifies swallows in term piglets but fails in preterm piglets, missing up to 10% of swallows and falsely identifying up to 27%. Preterm hyoid movement is smaller and poorly coordinated with bolus flow, so term-validated external metrics do not transfer.
• SLPOther2020Respiratory-Swallow Pattern Following Total Laryngectomy.DysphagiaAmong 12 adults after total laryngectomy, the main swallow-breathing pattern did not differ by TEP status or bolus type. The most common pattern was inspiration-swallow-inspiration (50%), not the typical expiration-swallow-expiration.
• PTOTSLPCohort2020Association of Neck Range of Motion and Skin Caliper Measures on Dysphagia Outcomes in Head and Neck Cancer and Effects of Neck Stretches and Swallowing Exercises.DysphagiaBetter neck movement and skin pliability correlate with less severe swallowing issues in head and neck cancer survivors. However, a 12-week program of neck stretches and swallowing exercises did not improve these physical measures or objective swallowing outcomes, despite patients reporting better quality of life.
• SLPOther2020A Surgical Mouse Model for Advancing Laryngeal Nerve Regeneration Strategies.DysphagiaIn mice, cutting the recurrent laryngeal nerve caused lasting vocal fold immobility and brief swallowing changes. Vagus nerve stimulation after nerve crush showed preliminary signs of faster vocal fold recovery.
• SLPCase Report2020Whiplash-Associated Dysphagia: Considerations of Potential Incidence and Mechanisms.DysphagiaThree people with chronic whiplash and swallowing changes showed shrinking throat space and high stress. Three recovered people had no swallowing changes and growing throat space. This suggests a link but does not prove whiplash causes dysphagia.
• SLPOther2020Vagus Nerves Provide a Robust Afferent Innervation of the Mucosa Throughout the Body of the Esophagus in the Mouse.DysphagiaThis paper maps nerve endings in mouse esophagus tissue. It contains no human data, patient outcomes, or treatment results, so it offers no guidance for clinical practice.
• SLPOther2020Pharyngeal Area Changes in Parkinson's Disease and Its Effect on Swallowing Safety, Efficiency, and Kinematics.DysphagiaPeople with Parkinson's disease had larger resting pharyngeal areas than healthy older adults. Larger pharyngeal area was linked to poorer swallowing safety, efficiency, and pharyngeal constriction. Clinicians reviewing VFSS should consider this anatomical change.
• SLPCohort2019Efficacy of neuromuscular electrical stimulation on Wilson's disease patients with dysphagia.Journal of physical therapy scienceAdding neuromuscular electrical stimulation to standard swallowing exercises improved swallowing function in Wilson’s disease patients more than exercises alone, with no adverse effects reported.
• SLPMeta-Analysis2020Effects of Transcutaneous Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation on Swallowing Disorders: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.American journal of physical medicine & rehabilitationTranscutaneous NMES combined with standard therapy improved swallowing in adults with brain injury, but showed no benefit for head and neck cancer or Parkinson disease. The overall evidence quality is low, so this should not replace standard care without further testing.
• SLPQualitative2020Women's perspective on life after total laryngectomy: a qualitative study.International journal of language & communication disordersEight women described how total laryngectomy disrupted their roles as caregivers and partners, leading to persistent vulnerability. They disliked their new voices and faced stigma. Preoperative peer support was vital, but often painted an overly optimistic picture of daily life.
• SLPCohort2020Dysphagia in Progressive Supranuclear Palsy.DysphagiaIn PSP, swallowing problems are mostly oral: tongue control and bolus transport are impaired, and pharyngeal swallow starts late. Airway protection and pharyngeal clearance were often spared, and few reported changing food textures. Higher PSP severity tracked worse oral and pharyngeal scores.
• SLPOther2020The Swallowing Characteristics of Thickeners, Jellies and Yoghurt Observed Using an In Vitro Model.DysphagiaIn a mechanical throat model, starch thickener pastes moved slowly, xanthan gum made shorter boluses at nectar-like, and jellies or yoghurt moved like honey-like or spoon-thick fluids. These lab results may help choose textures, but do not prove patient swallowing safety.
• SLPCohort2019Prevalence and associated prenatal and perinatal risk factors for oropharyngeal dysphagia in high-risk neonates in a South African hospital.The South African journal of communication disorders = Die Suid-Afrikaanse tydskrif vir KommunikasieafwykingsAlmost two-thirds of medically stable high-risk neonates had swallowing difficulties. Breech birth, septicaemia, prolonged incubator use and neurological conditions were linked to higher risk. These infants need speech-language therapy assessment before discharge, not only after obvious feeding failure.
• SLPOther2020Respiratory-Swallow Coordination in Healthy Adults During Drinking of Thin to Extremely Thick Liquids: A Research Note.Journal of speech, language, and hearing research : JSLHRAcross thin to extremely thick liquids, respiratory pause duration did not differ by consistency or sex, and breathing-swallow phase pattern was stable; barium liquids had shorter pauses, and one exploratory sex difference appeared.
• SLPNarrative Review2019Research-based Updates in Swallowing and Communication Dysfunction in Parkinson Disease: Implications for Evaluation and Management.Perspectives of the ASHA special interest groupsParkinson disease commonly affects swallowing and speech, but patients often do not report it. Objective assessment is needed. Medication and deep brain stimulation do not reliably improve these symptoms, while behavioral therapy can help short term.
• SLPCohort2020A Cross-Sectional, Quantitative Videofluoroscopic Analysis of Swallowing Physiology and Function in Individuals With Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis.Journal of speech, language, and hearing research : JSLHRThickened liquids reduced unsafe swallows compared to thin liquids without increasing residue. ALS patients showed delayed airway closure and reduced pharyngeal constriction, even when they reported no swallowing symptoms. This supports instrumental assessment over symptom reporting for early detection.
• SLPOther2020Measurement of Pharyngeal Residue From Lateral View Videofluoroscopic Images.Journal of speech, language, and hearing research : JSLHRVisual ratings of pharyngeal residue on videofluoroscopy agreed well but were less exact. Pixel measures using a neck length reference were steadier across raters and recommended for treatment comparisons.
• PTOTSLPSurvey2020Post-stroke dysphagia: An exploration of initial identification and management performed by nurses and doctors.The South African journal of communication disorders = Die Suid-Afrikaanse tydskrif vir KommunikasieafwykingsNurses and doctors mostly used informal observation to spot swallowing problems, often missing key signs like voice changes or voluntary cough. They also reported using unsafe practices like syringe feeding and prescribing exercises outside their scope. This highlights a need for better training and formal screening tools.
• SLPNarrative Review2020Postintubation Dysphagia During COVID-19 Outbreak-Contemporary Review.DysphagiaNo COVID-19 dysphagia data yet, but prolonged intubation raises dysphagia risk. Speech therapists should use nurse-administered screening, keep distance, and avoid FEES/VFS or reflex cough testing unless essential.
• SLPOther2020The Risk of Penetration-Aspiration Related to Residue in the Pharynx.American journal of speech-language pathologyResidue left in the throat before a new swallow significantly raises the risk of aspiration. This applies even when using a thin liquid wash to clear the residue, meaning the act of washing can itself cause airway invasion.
• SLPOther2020Dysphagia services in the era of COVID-19: Are speech-language therapists essential?The South African journal of communication disorders = Die Suid-Afrikaanse tydskrif vir KommunikasieafwykingsThis article discusses the risks and benefits of continuing dysphagia assessments during the pandemic. It argues for prioritising services but offers no new data or evidence to change clinical practice.
• SLPOther2020Factors Influencing Presence or Absence of Laterality During Pharyngeal Bolus Clearance.Perspectives of the ASHA special interest groupsMost healthy adults show no side preference when swallowing. When laterality appears, men are more likely to show it than women. This pattern is a normal variation, not a sign of impairment.
• PTOTSLPOther2020Cause of death in adults with Down syndrome in the United States.Disability and health journalAdults with Down syndrome face much higher death risks from choking, pneumonitis, and early-onset dementia. They also have lower cancer death rates. Clinicians should screen for swallowing issues and start dementia checks by age 35.
• SLPSurvey2021A Consensus Statement for the Management and Rehabilitation of Communication and Swallowing Function in the ICU: A Global Response to COVID-19.Archives of physical medicine and rehabilitationThirty-five ICU speech-language pathologists agreed on 64 of 66 statements for managing communication and swallowing. They did not agree that speaking is a low-risk aerosol-generating procedure, or that gag-reflex testing is an aerosol-generating procedure. These are expert recommendations, not tested interventions.
• PTOTSLPSystematic Review2021Rehabilitation setting during and after Covid-19: An overview on recommendations.Journal of rehabilitation medicineThis review of 31 early pandemic papers produced no tested outcomes, only expert recommendations. It advises telerehabilitation and strict PPE for speech and swallowing therapists, plus phased respiratory exercises for post-acute patients.
• PTOTSLPCohort2020Factors related to physical and mental components of quality of life in the community-dwelling frail older persons.Journal of physical therapy scienceDeclines in physical quality of life were linked to reduced lung function, while declines in mental quality of life were linked to depression and swallowing problems. Therapists should monitor breathing capacity, mood, and swallowing to protect overall well-being.
• OTSLPCase-Control2020Developmental-behavioral profiles in children with autism spectrum disorder and co-occurring gastrointestinal symptoms.Autism research : official journal of the International Society for Autism ResearchPreschoolers with autism and gastrointestinal symptoms showed more self-injury, sensory sensitivities, sleep issues, and aggression than those without GI symptoms. These behavioral changes occurred regardless of cognitive level or sex, suggesting problem behaviors may signal physical discomfort in young children.
• SLPCohort2021Swallowing and Voice Outcomes in Patients Hospitalized With COVID-19: An Observational Cohort Study.Archives of physical medicine and rehabilitationMost patients referred to speech therapy for COVID-19 swallowing or voice problems improved significantly. Nearly all resumed oral intake within days and were decannulated, but more than half still had voice issues on discharge, requiring specific outpatient follow-up pathways.
• PTSLPCase Report2020Cervical Dystonia Caused by Chronic Nonunion C2 Fracture: A Case Report.Archives of rehabilitation research and clinical translationA man with neck twisting and swallowing difficulty had an undiagnosed cervical fracture. Botulinum toxin improved symptoms temporarily, but surgery to fuse the spine resolved the dystonia, pain, and dysphagia completely. This case suggests ruling out structural causes before assuming idiopathic dystonia.
• PTOTSLPOther2021COVID-19: Patient Characteristics in the First Phase of Postintensive Care Rehabilitation.Archives of rehabilitation research and clinical translationPatients arriving for post-ICU rehabilitation after severe COVID-19 had profound weakness, with 72.7% showing severe muscle loss in most major groups. Forty percent had swallowing difficulties requiring tube feeding or modified food, and 38.3% experienced low oxygen levels during exercise.
• PTOTSLPSystematic Review2020Factors Associated with Risk of Stroke-Associated Pneumonia in Patients with Dysphagia: A Systematic Review.DysphagiaProphylactic antibiotics did not reduce pneumonia risk. Metoclopramide and multidisciplinary swallowing care appeared protective, but data were limited. PPI use was linked to higher risk. Nasogastric tube evidence was inconsistent. Mobility and dysphagia severity were strong risk markers.
• PTOTSLPCase Series2021Early Physical Therapist Interventions for Patients With COVID-19 in the Acute Care Hospital: A Case Report Series.Physical therapyPhysical therapists managed severe instability by moving patients very slowly and stopping exercises before coughing triggered oxygen drops. Anxiety worsened breathlessness, requiring active listening and education alongside movement. Family video calls helped reorient delirious patients when visits were banned.
• PTOTSLPCohort2020Association Between Dysphagia and Inpatient Outcomes Across Frailty Level Among Patients ≥ 50 Years of Age.DysphagiaHospitalized adults 50 and older with dysphagia stayed longer, cost more, and had more complications than those without, regardless of frailty level. This held true even for non-frail patients. Dysphagia is an independent risk factor for poor outcomes, not just a marker of being frail.
• PTOTSLPSystematic Review2020The Effect of Lingual Resistance Training Interventions on Adult Swallow Function: A Systematic Review.DysphagiaTongue strength training reliably increases tongue pressure, but evidence that this improves actual swallowing safety or efficiency is inconsistent. Most included studies were small and had high risk of bias, so clinicians should not assume strength gains translate directly to safer swallowing.
• SLPPilot2020Simultaneous X-ray Video-Fluoroscopy and Pulsed Ultrasound Velocimetry Analyses of the Pharyngeal Phase of Swallowing of Boluses with Different Rheological Properties.DysphagiaThe study did not detect a difference in bolus speed or clearance-wave speed among fluids matched for viscosity in three healthy adults. Ultrasound velocity profiling measured flow and detected the clearance wave.
• SLPCohort2020Drooling in Parkinson's Disease: Prevalence and Progression from the Non-motor International Longitudinal Study.DysphagiaDrooling prevalence was similar at 37.2% and 40.1% over 3.27 ± 1.74 years in 728 Parkinson's patients, and severity did not change. Older patients had more drooling, and drooling was linked with swallowing difficulty.
• SLPCohort2020Influence of Inhalation Injury on Incidence, Clinical Profile and Recovery Pattern of Dysphagia Following Burn Injury.DysphagiaIn 38 burn patients with confirmed inhalation injury, 34 had swallowing problems and 78.9% were severe at first assessment. Most recovered by discharge, but reported mean time to start oral intake was 24.69 days and to resolve dysphagia 29.79 days.
• SLPOther2020Swallow Safety in Infant Pigs With and Without Recurrent Laryngeal Nerve Lesion.DysphagiaIn infant pigs, recurrent laryngeal nerve lesion increased penetration without clearance in the younger pigs, but aspiration rates were similar across groups. By the older age, lesioned pigs resembled controls. This is animal data, not human feeding evidence.
• SLPOther2021Dose in Exercise-Based Dysphagia Therapies: A Scoping Review.DysphagiaExercise doses in swallowing therapy studies vary widely, and no best dose was found. The tables show what researchers used, but they do not prove any dose works. Report frequency, repetitions, intensity and duration when planning or studying treatment.
• SLPOther2020Effects of Tongue Exercise Frequency on Tongue Muscle Biology and Swallowing Physiology in a Rat Model.DysphagiaIn rats, tongue exercise five days a week increased tongue force more than one or three days, but did not change muscle biology or swallowing speed. Low-dose exercise still improved force. These findings do not yet apply to human patients.
• OTSLPNarrative Review2021Clinical Manifestation, Evaluation, and Rehabilitative Strategy of Dysphagia Associated With COVID-19.American journal of physical medicine & rehabilitationFor suspected or confirmed COVID-19 dysphagia, clinicians recommended early screening, avoiding nonurgent scope or X-ray swallowing tests, and starting diet or swallow strategies before active exercises. These are expert recommendations, not tested interventions.
• SLPOther2021Swallow Safety is Determined by Bolus Volume During Infant Feeding in an Animal Model.DysphagiaLarger bolus size was the primary predictor of unsafe swallows in infant pigs. Term infants swallowed larger volumes and experienced more penetration and aspiration than preterm infants, regardless of nerve damage.
• SLPOther2021Validation of the German Version of Functional Oral Intake Scale (FOIS-G) for Flexible Endoscopic Evaluation of Swallowing (FEES).DysphagiaThe German version of the Functional Oral Intake Scale showed high agreement between speech therapists and strong links to stroke disability and swallowing test scores. It is a reliable tool for documenting what patients can safely eat and drink after a stroke.
• SLPOther2021Correlation of Temporal Parameters of Laryngeal Excursion by Using Force-Sensing Resistor Sensors with Hyoid Motion in Videofluoroscopic Swallowing Study.DysphagiaForce-sensing resistor sensors on the neck tracked hyoid bone timing closely during swallowing in healthy adults. The sensors correlated strongly with video X-ray measurements, suggesting they could offer a radiation-free way to monitor swallowing timing in clinical settings.
• SLPCohort2021Biomechanical Biomarkers of Tongue Impairment During Swallowing in Persons Diagnosed with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis.DysphagiaIn 12 people with ALS, slower tongue movement during thin liquid swallows was strongly linked to aspiration risk. A tongue speed below 43.8 mm/s detected penetration or aspiration with 100% sensitivity. These biomechanical markers may help identify patients at high risk before clinical signs appear.
• PTOTSLPCohort2021Persistent Symptoms and Disability After COVID-19 Hospitalization: Data From a Comprehensive Telerehabilitation Program.Archives of physical medicine and rehabilitationOne month after discharge, many older COVID-19 survivors reported persistent symptoms and disability. ICU patients had worse outcomes than ward patients, including higher rates of breathlessness, pain, and dependence in daily activities.