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NCT Number: NCT07606547

Biomechanical Effects of EMST® on Swallowing Function in Parkinson's Disease

The aim of this non-randomized intervention study is to investigate the detailed effects of a structured four-week EMST® training program on the biomechanics of swallowing function in dysphagic Parkinson's patients. A combination of fiberoptic endoscopic evaluation of swallowing (FEES) and pharyngeal high-resolution manometry (HRM) will be employed to comprehensively evaluate the neuromuscular changes in swallowing.

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Key information

Conditions

Parkinson's Disease (PD) Basal Ganglia Diseases Brain Diseases Central Nervous System Diseases Deglutition Disorders Digestive System Diseases Dysphagia Esophageal Diseases Gastrointestinal Diseases Movement Disorders Nervous System Diseases Neurodegenerative Diseases Otorhinolaryngologic Diseases Parkinson Disease Parkinsonian Disorders Pharyngeal Diseases Synucleinopathies

Age range

18 year and older

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

University Hospital Münster, Department of Neurology

Münster, 48149, Germany

Location status: Recruiting

Location contact

Sonja Suntrup-Krueger, Prof. Dr. med.

CONTACT

[email protected]

+4925183-46811

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: No

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

  • diagnosis of Parkinson's disease,
  • PD-related dysphagia as objectively diagnosed with FEES

Exclusion criteria

  • severe dementia, not able to give consent
  • dysphagia related to other diagnoses

Treatment and study plan

exspiratory muscle strength training

Device

5 sets of 5 breaths with EMST per day, 5 days a week for 1 month

Other names: EMST

Primary outcomes

  1. Effect on swallowing biomechanics in pharyngeal high-resolution manometry as assessed by measurement of e.g. Pharyngeal contractile Integral (PhcI)

    Time frame: 1 month and 3 months

    metrics of pharyngeal contraction and upper esophageal sphinkter opening in high-resolution pharyngeal manometry

Secondary outcomes

  1. Pharyngeal swallowing safety and efficiency as assessed with fiberoptic endoscopic evaluation of swallowing (FEES) applying DIGEST-FEES scoring

    Time frame: 1 month and 3 months

    Assessment of Swallowing safety and efficiency with DIGEST-FEES (Dynamic Imaging Grade of Swallowing Toxicity - FEES), Range 0 (best) - 4 (worst)

Study contacts

Contact information is provided by the study sponsor or research team.

Sonja Suntrup-Krueger, Prof. Dr. med.

CONTACT

[email protected]

+49251-83-46811

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

University Hospital Muenster

Other

Registry information

Official study title

Biomechanical Effects of Expiratory Muscle Strength Training (EMST®) on Swallowing Function in Parkinson's Disease - a Prospective High-resolution Manometry Study

Important dates

Study start
2026
Primary completion
2028
Study completion
2028
First posted
May 26, 2026
Registry last updated
Jun 3, 2026

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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