{"id":11,"date":"2024-07-11T18:19:33","date_gmt":"2024-07-11T18:19:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/labs.uthscsa.edu\/saul\/?page_id=11"},"modified":"2026-08-10T14:11:29","modified_gmt":"2026-08-10T14:11:29","slug":"research","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/labs.uthscsa.edu\/saul\/research\/","title":{"rendered":"Research"},"content":{"rendered":"

[vc_row full_width=”stretch_row”][vc_column width=”2\/3″][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n

Lab News<\/span><\/h2>\n
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Lab members attend the annual Dysphagia Research Society meeting (2025)<\/h2>

\"SAUL<\/p>\n

PhD students from the SAUL lab were awarded a podium presentation and a poster presentation at the International Dysphagia Research Society (DRS) meeting, March 25-28th 2025.\u00a0 This meeting showcases the top research in swallowing and swallowing related disorders from around the world. Well done Team!<\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>[vc_separator][\/vc_column][vc_column width=”1\/3″] \n \n \n <\/i>\n <\/i>\n <\/span>

Publications<\/h3>\n <\/a> \n \n \n <\/i>\n <\/i>\n <\/span>

Team Members<\/h3>\n <\/a> \n \n \n <\/i>\n <\/i>\n <\/span>

Archive (of all posts)<\/h3>\n <\/a>[\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row full_width=”stretch_row”][vc_column width=”2\/3″][vc_empty_space height=”64px”][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n

Current Projects<\/span><\/h2>\n
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DOD SwallowFit Study Awarded<\/h3><\/a>[vc_column_text]<\/p>\n
\"Swallow
SwallowFit intervention for Parkinson’s Disease<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

“SwallowFIT” an exercise program for US service members, Veterans, and family with Parkinson’s Disease: randomized clinical trial.<\/p>\n

The goal of this 3-year double blind randomized clinical trial\u00a0 is to test a preventative behavioral swallowing exercise program called \u201cSwallowFIT\u201d.<\/p>\n

This study\u00a0 will explore if early swallowing exercise improves function and reduces adverse outcomes for persons with PD.<\/p>\n

Specific aims are to a) evaluate the effectiveness of a proactive swallow exercise program [SwallowFIT] in US Service members, Veterans and family members With Parkinson\u2019s Disease and b) determine the acceptability, adherence and longer-term maintenance of swallowing fitness following the SwallowFIT program.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][vc_column width=”1\/3″] \n \n \n <\/i>\n <\/i>\n <\/span>

SwallowFit page<\/h3>\n <\/a>[\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row full_width=”stretch_row”][vc_column width=”2\/3″]

Evaluation of an intensive swallow exercise therapy for maintaining feeding and well-being in persons with Parkinson's disease<\/h3>[vc_column_text]<\/p>\n
\"Parkinson's
Presentation title on Parkinson’s Disease<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

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 swallow function longer into PD progression.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][vc_column width=”1\/3″][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row full_width=”stretch_row”][vc_column width=”2\/3″]

Intervention for Upper Esophageal Sphincter Dysfunction<\/h3>[vc_column_text]<\/p>\n
\"Image
Upper esophageal dysfunction<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

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 \u00a0to assess UES intervention trends and their impact on patient outcomes. II- Development of a multi-site study to explore the comparative effectiveness of two common intervention types.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][vc_column width=”1\/3″][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row full_width=”stretch_row”][vc_column width=”2\/3″][vc_custom_heading text=”“Dysphagia: In Search of a Unified Definition for the Aging Population: NIH R-13 study“” font_container=”tag:h2|font_size:35|text_align:left|color:%23BC4A27″ use_theme_fonts=”yes” link=”url:https%3A%2F%2Fchs.uky.edu%2Fdefining-dysphagia|title:UK%20Defining%20Dysphagia|target:_blank”][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n

\"Defining
Defining Dysphagia project emblem<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Despite the high incidence and prevalence of dysphagia, particularly in the adult aging population, there is no uniform definition of adult dysphagia.<\/em><\/strong> 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 quantifying the exact magnitude of disease in a specific population and assuring accuracy and consistency across healthcare settings, researchers, third party payers, and other key stakeholders.<\/p>\n

The aim of this NIH directed research and conference therefore is to engage experts and key stakeholders who work with older adults with dysphagia and to collaborate and develop a consensus validation for a unified definition of dysphagia and guidelines that can be applied for use in clinical patient populations, public health, and policy.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][vc_column width=”1\/3″][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row full_width=”stretch_row”][vc_column width=”2\/3″][vc_empty_space height=”64px”][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n

Student Projects<\/h2>\n
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Spontaneous Swallow Frequency in Normal Healthy Volunteers<\/h3>[vc_column_text]\"SSFSpontaneous swallow frequency (SSF) has been proposed as a potential physiologic indicator of swallowing system integrity and dysphagia. However, clinical implementation has been limited by inconsistent measurement methods and a lack of normative reference values. This ongoing study evaluates SSF in healthy community-dwelling adults using a standardized acoustic recording method during morning and afternoon sessions. Participants complete swallowing-related questionnaires, including FOIS, EAT-10, and RSI. Relationships between SSF and demographic variables (age, weight, BMI) are examined, along with potential diurnal differences. Findings will provide normative data and guidance regarding measurement conditions, supporting integration of SSF into clinical dysphagia assessment and management by speech-language pathologists.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][vc_column width=”1\/3″][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row full_width=”stretch_row”][vc_column width=”2\/3″]

Esophageal dysmotility in Parkinson\u2019s disease: A scoping review<\/h3>[vc_column_text]\"Logo<\/p>\n

Although dysphagia is traditionally conceptualized as a disorder of the oropharyngeal phase of swallowing, evidence indicates that swallowing dysfunction extends throughout the entire upper aerodigestive tract. Esophageal motility abnormalities have been identified in early stages of Parkinson\u2019s disease (PD) and gastrointestinal dysmotility is considered an early or prodromal symptom suggesting that autonomic and enteric nervous system dysfunction may precede or accompany motor symptoms. Most research on dysphagia in PD has focused primarily on the oral and pharyngeal phases of swallowing. As a result, the role of esophageal motility in the overall swallow impairment in PD remains poorly characterized. This is a critical gap, as esophageal dysfunction may contribute to persistent dysphagia symptoms even when oropharyngeal assessments are relatively unremarkable, potentially leading to under-recognition or misclassification of dysphagia severity. This review aims to synthesize information about esophageal dysmotility in PD and its relationship to dysphagia symptoms.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][vc_column width=”1\/3″][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row full_width=”stretch_row”][vc_column width=”2\/3″]

A Pilot Study of Oral Microbiome Changes Following Intense Swallowing Therapy in Parkinson's Disease<\/h3>[vc_column_text]<\/p>\n
\"Saliva
Saliva collection for oral microbiome measurement<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

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.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][vc_column width=”1\/3″][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row full_width=”stretch_row”][vc_column width=”2\/3″]

Spontaneous swallowing frequency in Parkinson\u2019s Disease (PD) reflects swallow integrity: a case-control study<\/h3><\/a>[vc_column_text]<\/p>\n
\"Spontaneous
The patient has swallow frequency measured<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

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\u2019s disease are unknown. This study compared SSF rates in a cohort of early PD patients to age and gender-matched healthy controls.<\/p>\n

SSF in early PD_Final (pdf)<\/a>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][vc_column width=”1\/3″][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row full_width=”stretch_row” el_class=”margin-bottom-2″][vc_column width=”2\/3″]

Intervention for Upper Esophageal Sphincter Dysfunction: A Systematic Review<\/h3><\/a>[vc_column_text]<\/p>\n
\"High
a high resolution manometry image of a swallow<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

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.<\/p>\n

Dysphagia Research Society Meeting 2025 UES Systematic Review Abstract Submission – Longnecker, D FINAL (pdf)<\/a>[\/vc_column_text][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner][\/vc_column_inner][\/vc_row_inner][\/vc_column][vc_column width=”1\/3″][\/vc_column][\/vc_row]<\/p>\n<\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

[vc_row full_width=”stretch_row”][vc_column width=”2\/3″][vc_column_text] Lab News [\/vc_column_text][vc_separator][\/vc_column][vc_column width=”1\/3″][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row full_width=”stretch_row”][vc_column width=”2\/3″][vc_empty_space height=”64px”][vc_column_text] Current Projects [\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row full_width=”stretch_row”][vc_column width=”2\/3″][vc_column_text] “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\u00a0 is to test a preventative behavioral swallowing exercise program called \u201cSwallowFIT\u201d. 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