Improving swallowing muscles in older adults through exercises
Official title: Proactive pharyngeal swallowing exercises: Building muscular reserve in pre-frail older adults
Funded at New York University · NIH-11078906 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at whether doing special swallowing exercises for 12 weeks can help older adults who have trouble swallowing by making their throat muscles stronger, and some participants will also get protein supplements to see if that helps even more.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | New York University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New York, United States) |
| Project start | September 15, 2023 |
| Project end | August 31, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $128,790 |
| NIH project number | 3R01AG079907-02S1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11078906 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are community-dwelling older adults who experience difficulties with swallowing.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not have swallowing difficulties or those with severe neurological conditions affecting swallowing may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how proactive swallowing exercises can enhance the strength and function of throat muscles in older adults who may have difficulty swallowing. The study will involve participants completing a 12-week program of swallowing exercises, with some receiving additional protein supplements. By measuring changes in muscle composition and strength before and after the program, the research aims to determine the effectiveness of these interventions in improving swallowing mechanics. Participants will serve as their own controls, allowing for a clear comparison of results.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could significantly improve the swallowing ability and overall health of older adults, reducing their risk of malnutrition and pneumonia.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promising results in using exercise to improve muscle function in older adults, suggesting that this approach may be effective.
Where this research is happening
-
New York University
New York, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Molfenter, Sonja M — New York University
- Study coordinator: Molfenter, Sonja M
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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.