Assessing and treating swallowing difficulties in older adults
Swallowing Difficulties in People Over 60 Years: Prevalence, Degree of Difficulty and Intervention
This study is testing different treatments for older adults with swallowing difficulties to see which one helps them the most.
Quick facts
| Phase | Not applicable |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 99 (estimated) |
| Ages | 18 Years and up |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | Sahlgrenska University Hospital Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Gothenburg) |
| Trial ID | NCT06599021 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
This study focuses on older adults over 60 years who experience swallowing difficulties, known as dysphagia. Participants are screened through a timed water swallow test, and those identified with moderate to severe dysphagia undergo a flexible endoscopic evaluation of swallowing function. They are then randomized into one of three intervention groups: muscle strengthening training, skill-based swallowing training, or a control group receiving compensatory treatment. The aim is to enhance the diagnosis and treatment of dysphagia in the aging population.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Ideal candidates are individuals over 60 years old who have been identified with swallowing dysfunction through screening.
Not a fit: Patients with severely impaired intellectual abilities or those unable to consent or complete questionnaires in Swedish may not benefit from this study.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this study could significantly improve the quality of life for older adults suffering from swallowing difficulties.
How similar studies have performed: Other studies have shown promise in treating dysphagia with similar intervention approaches, indicating potential for success.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Participation in SCAPIS2 * Swallowing dysfunction according to timed water swallow test or * Swallowing dysfunction according to self-report Exclusion Criteria: * Severely impaired intellectual abilities. * Inability to consent to inclusion in the study. * Inability to answer written questionnaires in Swedish Inclusion of non-dysphagia control cohort: No signs of aspiration, slow swallowing (\<10 ml/sec) or self-rated difficulties with eating and swallowing in sub-study SCAPIS2
Where this trial is running
Gothenburg
- Sahlgrenska University Hospital — Gothenburg, Sweden (Recruiting)
How to participate
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
- Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.