Outcomes of Swallowing Rehabilitation After Stroke

This multi-site, multi-national project will evaluate the relative effectiveness of four therapy protocols for pharyngeal phase swallowing impairment in the stroke population. For this study, patients with chronic dysphagia secondary to stroke will be assigned to one of four treatment protocols. These four protocols differ in respect to the intensity of treatment and the inclusion of surface electromyography (SEMG) biofeedback as an adjunct to treatment. All patients will complete a total of 30 hours of therapy with data collection to assess progress at intervals of every 10 sessions. Treatment outcomes will be measured using a combination of physiologic and behavioral measures. Data derived from this study should contribute significantly to our understanding of the rehabilitative process in the neurogenic dysphagic population and will provide the foundation for the establishment of efficacious, cost-efficient patient services.

Inclusion criteria

• Subjects will represent the diagnostic categories of single event brain stem injury, right cortical stroke and left cortical stroke.
• Chronic dysphagia at least 6 months post onset secondary to single neurological event, brain stem, right cortical or left cortical stroke confirmed with CT or MRI
• Diagnosis of chronic pharyngeal phase dysphagia based on clinical and videofluoroscopic evaluation completed within 3 weeks of beginning treatment.
• Must be at least 12 months post onset with no substantial recovery of swallowing function. If patients have received prior swallowing treatment, they must be at least three months post the termination of direct treatment.
• Mini Mental Status Exam score >21

Exclusion criteria

• history of pre-existing dysphagia or neurologic disease prior to the onset of the current disorder.
• MMSE score < 21