Wearable biofeedback device to help swallowing after neurologic injury
Impact of wearable biofeedback for the rehabilitation and tele-rehabilitation of neurogenic dysphagia
['FUNDING_R01'] · UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS AT URBANA-CHAMPAIGN · NIH-11471381
This project helps people with swallowing problems from neurologic conditions use a small wearable sensor that shows neck muscle activity to guide exercises and improve swallowing.
Quick facts
| Phase | ['FUNDING_R01'] |
|---|---|
| Study type | Nih_funding |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS AT URBANA-CHAMPAIGN (nih funded) |
| Locations | 1 site (CHAMPAIGN, UNITED STATES) |
| Trial ID | NIH-11471381 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this research studies
You would wear a small, low-cost surface sensor (i-Phagia) on the head/neck that shows your muscle activity in real time while you do swallowing and head/neck exercises. The research team will run a large randomized trial comparing biofeedback-guided exercises to comparable therapy without the wearable, with some therapy delivered in person and some via tele-rehabilitation. The device also records adherence data that clinicians can review to tailor training and monitor progress remotely. The goal is to see whether adding this wearable feedback helps people regain safer, more effective swallowing and makes therapy easier to do at home.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates are adults with neurogenic dysphagia from neurologic conditions like stroke, Parkinson's disease, or traumatic brain injury who can follow instructions and perform head/neck swallowing exercises.
Not a fit: People whose swallowing problems are not due to neurologic causes, those with severe cognitive impairment or inability to perform exercises safely, or those with structural obstructions may not benefit from this wearable biofeedback approach.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could make swallowing therapy more effective and more accessible by using an affordable wearable that patients can use at home, reducing choking risk and improving quality of life.
How similar studies have performed: Small-scale studies of head/neck exercises with biofeedback have shown promising results, but large randomized trials using wearable sEMG devices have not yet been completed.
Where this research is happening
CHAMPAIGN, UNITED STATES
- UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS AT URBANA-CHAMPAIGN — CHAMPAIGN, UNITED STATES (ACTIVE)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: MALANDRAKI, GEORGIA — UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS AT URBANA-CHAMPAIGN
- Study coordinator: MALANDRAKI, GEORGIA
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 below.