SwallowFit Announced on ClinicalTrials.gov
January 15, 2026
A detailed description of the SwallowFit study was released on the NIH clinical trials website.
Parkinson’s Disease Grant
November 1, 2025
Lab director awarded DOD grant for novel swallowing intervention in Parkinson’s Disease
DOD SwallowFit Study Awarded
October 25, 2025
“SwallowFIT” an exercise program for US service members, Veterans, and family with Parkinson’s Disease: randomized clinical trial. The goal of this 3-year double blind randomized clinical trial is to test a preventative behavioral swallowing exercise program called “SwallowFIT”. This study will explore if early swallowing exercise improves function and reduces adverse outcomes for persons with […]
Intervention for Upper Esophageal Sphincter Dysfunction
March 30, 2025
Upper esophageal sphincter (UES) dysfunction, defined as inappropriate opening or failed relaxation of the UES during swallowing, is a common cause of dysphagia. This research project consists of two parts: I- a systematic review of the literature to assess UES intervention trends and their impact on patient outcomes. II- Development of a multi-site study to […]
Spontaneous swallowing frequency in Parkinson’s Disease (PD) reflects swallow integrity: a case-control study
March 25, 2025
When spontaneous swallowing (SSF), an innate protective mechanism, is impaired, aspiration prevalence and the risk of pneumonia are increased, especially in individuals with dysphagia. Data on SSF change and its significance in Parkinson’s disease are unknown. This study compared SSF rates in a cohort of early PD patients to age and gender-matched healthy controls.
Intervention for Upper Esophageal Sphincter Dysfunction: A Systematic Review
March 25, 2025
Upper esophageal sphincter (UES) dysfunction, defined as inappropriate opening or failed relaxation of the UES during swallowing, is a common cause of dysphagia. The primary aim of this review was to assess UES intervention trends and their impact on patient outcomes.
“Dysphagia: In Search of a Unified Definition for the Aging Population: NIH R-13 study”
September 15, 2024
Despite the high incidence and prevalence of dysphagia, particularly in the adult aging population, there is no uniform definition of adult dysphagia. Instead, heterogenous definitions in the extant literature pave the way for ambiguity and philosophical differences among dysphagia experts and other key stakeholders. Establishing an accepted and cogent definition for dysphagia is a critical step in […]
A Pilot Study of Oral Microbiome Changes Following Intense Swallowing Therapy in Parkinson’s Disease
February 25, 2024
Oral microbiota differs between PD patients and healthy individuals. The aim of this pilot study is to evaluate changes in the oral microbial environment following normalization of oral feeding through intensive swallowing therapy in PD.
Evaluation of an intensive swallow exercise therapy for maintaining feeding and well-being in persons with Parkinson’s disease
November 25, 2023
This study is a pilot pre-post interventional swallowing therapy study with 1 month follow up of persons with Parkinson’s Disease. The overarching objective in this study is to evaluate an established swallow exercise intervention [McNeil Dysphagia Therapy Program: MDTP] that is simple, accessible, pleasurable, and engages patients and families, to promote swallow fitness to optimize […]
