Improving airway protection for people with Parkinson's disease using in-person and telehealth methods

Rehabilitation of Airway Protection in Parkinson's Disease: Comparing In-Person and Telehealth Service Delivery Models

NIH-funded research Columbia University Teachers College · NIH-10888343

This study is looking at whether two rehabilitation techniques for helping with swallowing and cough issues—Expiratory Muscle Strength Training and Cough Skill Training—work just as well when done in-person or through video calls for people with Parkinson's disease, so that more folks can get the help they need.

Quick facts

Grant typeR01 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionColumbia University Teachers College NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (New York, United States)
Project IDNIH-10888343 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research investigates how effective rehabilitation techniques for airway protection, specifically Expiratory Muscle Strength Training (EMST) and Cough Skill Training (CST), can be delivered either in-person or through telehealth for individuals with Parkinson's disease. The study aims to determine if telehealth delivery can achieve similar health outcomes as traditional in-person sessions, addressing a significant gap in access to care for those with swallowing and cough disorders. By comparing these two delivery models, the research seeks to enhance the quality of life and health outcomes for patients suffering from these conditions.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are individuals diagnosed with Parkinson's disease who experience swallowing or cough disorders.

Not a fit: Patients without Parkinson's disease or those who do not have airway protection issues may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could provide patients with improved access to effective rehabilitation techniques that enhance airway protection and reduce the risk of aspiration pneumonia.

How similar studies have performed: Previous research has shown that telehealth delivery of similar rehabilitation techniques can be effective, but this specific comparison of in-person versus telehealth for airway protection in Parkinson's disease is relatively novel.

Where this research is happening

New York, United States

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.