Swallowing Difficulties in People Over 60 Years: Prevalence, Degree of Difficulty and Intervention

Sponsor
Lisa Tuomi
Study ID
NCT06599021
Status
Recruiting
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Conditions

  • Ageing
  • Dysphagia
  • Intervention

Eligibility Criteria

Sex
ALL
Age
18 Years - N/A
Healthy Volunteers
Accepted

Interventions

  • Muscular strengthening training — BEHAVIORAL
    6 weeks daily muscular strengthening training.
  • Skill-based training — BEHAVIORAL
    15 sessions skill based swallowing training lead by a speech and language pathologist during 3 weeks.

Study Details

Participants included in SCAPIS2 (Swedish Cardio Pulmonary bioimage study) are screened regarding swallowing difficulty using a timed water swallow test. Participants who show signs of swallowing difficulty (dysphagia) are included in the present study, which encompasses s flexible endoscopic evaluation of swallowing function (FEES). Participants showing a moderate-severe dysphagia are randomized into one of three intervention groups: muscle strengthening training, skill-based swallowing training and a control group who will receive compensatory treatment. The study is expected to improve diagnostics and treatment of swallowing difficulties in an ageing population.

Key Dates

First listed
Sep 19, 2024
Start date
Dec 1, 2024
Status verified
Apr 2026
Primary completion
Apr 30, 2027
Completion
Apr 30, 2028

Study Design

Enrollment
99 participants (estimated)
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
TREATMENT

Arms

  • Experimental: Muscular strengthening training
    The muscular strengthening training is permformed 3 times daily as "head-ups" where the participant lies down and lifts their head anf then holds it upright during 60 seconds. This is repeated x 3 followed by 30 head-lifts. The duration of the training programme is 6 weeks.
  • Experimental: Skill-based training
    During the skill-based training programme, food and beverages are used as swallowing training material based on a pre-determined food-hierarchy. The training starts at the highest level that the participant can safely swallow and then progresses as strength and coordination of swallowing improves. This training is comprised of 15 speech- and language pathologist lead training sessions during 3 weeks.
  • No Intervention: Compensatory treatment
    The control group will receive information about dysphagia and advise on compensatory strategies.

Primary Outcome Measure

Penetration-aspiration score (PAS) [ Time Frame: Baseline to post-intervention (6 weeks) ]

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