DIGEST: a tool to measure swallowing problems in cancer survivors
Official title: Dissemination and implementation of DIGEST™ as an evidence-based measurement tool for dysphagia in cancer
Funded at University of Tx Md Anderson Can Ctr · NIH-11263706 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project will help get a reliable swallowing test called DIGEST into clinics so swallowing problems in people who had cancer are more easily found and tracked.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Tx Md Anderson Can Ctr NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Houston, United States) |
| Project start | February 15, 2023 |
| Project end | January 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $632,834 |
| NIH project number | 5R01CA271223-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-11263706 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are cancer survivors who are experiencing swallowing difficulties and who can undergo a videofluoroscopic (modified barium) swallowing exam at a participating clinic.
✕Less likely to help
People without swallowing symptoms or those who cannot have videofluoroscopy (for example due to medical or mobility limitations) are unlikely to benefit directly from this work.
What this research studies
You will hear about a clinical grading system called DIGEST that uses a modified barium swallow x-ray to rate how well you clear food and liquids from your throat. The team plans to train speech-language pathologists, adapt DIGEST for different clinic settings, and build workflows so clinicians actually use the tool. They will collect imaging results, clinician feedback, and adoption data to refine the process and reduce barriers. The goal is to make swallowing problems more consistently recognized and acted on after cancer treatment.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could lead to more consistent diagnosis and treatment of swallowing problems after cancer and reduce complications like aspiration pneumonia and malnutrition.
How similar studies have gone: The DIGEST scoring system has already been developed and used to grade pharyngeal dysphagia on videofluoroscopy, but broader clinic-wide adoption remains limited and is now being promoted through implementation efforts.
Where this research is happening
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University of Tx Md Anderson Can Ctr
Houston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Hutcheson, Katherine Arnold — University of Tx Md Anderson Can Ctr
- Study coordinator: Hutcheson, Katherine Arnold
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Wearable biofeedback device to help swallowing after neurologic injury
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Reducing Burden for Care Partners of People with Alzheimer’s and Related Dementias
This project tests a user-friendly Web tool to help care partners of people with dementia manage oropharyngeal dysphagia and reduce daily caregiving burden.
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InHANCE: Radiation-Related Swallowing Difficulty in Head and Neck Cancer
A patient-focused program aims to understand and reduce swallowing problems caused by radiation therapy in head and neck cancer survivors.
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Non-Invasive Dysphagia Detection for Preterm Infants
A new non-invasive tool analyzes a premature baby’s bottle feeding behavior to detect swallowing difficulties early.
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Web program to help caregivers safely feed loved ones with dementia who have trouble swallowing
A web-based program to teach family caregivers how to manage swallowing problems and reduce the stress of feeding a loved one with Alzheimer’s or related dementia.
-
Wearable biofeedback to improve swallowing after neurological diseases
A wearable biofeedback device helps adults with neurogenic dysphagia improve swallowing through guided exercises and remote coaching.
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.