Swallow Training with Biofeedback in Acute Post Stroke Dysphagia
Research type
Research Study
Full title
SWALLOW STRENGTH AND SKILL TRAINING WITH BIOFEEDBACK IN ACUTE POST STROKE DYSPHAGIA
IRAS ID
319969
Contact name
Jacqueline Benfield
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Nottingham University
Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier
Duration of Study in the UK
2 years, 2 months, 31 days
Research summary
About 50% of people who have a stroke experience difficulty swallowing. There is a growing evidence base showing that swallowing therapy can help to improve swallowing, but we don't know which type or how much therapy is most beneficial. We are further developing one particular intervention - swallow strength and skill training with biofeedback. This involves practicing strong or effortful swallows and practicing controlling the timing of swallowing using visual feedback on a screen showing the activity of the muscles involved in swallowing. We want to know whether trained clinicians are able to deliver this therapy in acute hospital settings early after stroke. We also want to explore whether there is an effect of dose in improving swallowing and other health factors. To do this we will conduct a trial across several stroke units in the east midlands. We will aim to recruit 120 participants who have had a stroke and have dysphagia and who will randomly be placed in one of three groups. One group will get a standard dose therapy (10 x 35 minute sessions over 2 weeks), another group with receive a high dose therapy (20 x 35 minute sessions over 2 weeks) and the third will receive ‘usual care’ which is what they would usually get from their current service. We will look at what therapy participants actually get, what factors might influence this and the training, support and conditions that enable clinicians to deliver the therapy. We will also assess the participants swallowing and collect information on their health, face to face at the beginning and after the therapy and over the phone at three months.
REC name
London - Bromley Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
23/LO/0131
Date of REC Opinion
10 Mar 2023
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion