Direct Chin-tuck Against Resistance (dCTAR) to improve swallowing
Effect of Direct Chin-tuck Against Resistance on Swallowing Function
This trial sees if direct Chin-tuck Against Resistance (dCTAR) can improve swallowing in adults with post-stroke dysphagia and in healthy volunteers.
Quick facts
| Phase | Not applicable |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 60 (estimated) |
| Ages | 18 Years to 90 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | National Taiwan University Hospital Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Taipei, Taipei) |
| Trial ID | NCT07479680 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
This interventional study tests a modified chin-tuck exercise (dCTAR) that combines resistive chin tuck with swallowing to strengthen the suprahyoid muscles and promote forward-upward hyoid‑larynx movement. Researchers will recruit both adults with post-stroke dysphagia and healthy control participants and perform dCTAR while measuring muscle contraction and hyoid-larynx displacement. Outcome measures include ultrasound and functional swallowing metrics, and the protocol will explore how tongue strength and bite force relate to the treatment effect. The design aims to confirm prior single-case observations that dCTAR can improve cricopharyngeal relaxation and bolus passage.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Adults aged 18–90 who are conscious and cooperative and either have post-stroke dysphagia (FOIS 1–6) or are healthy volunteers (FOIS 7) are eligible.
Not a fit: Patients whose dysphagia is due to structural causes such as head or neck cancer, prior neck surgery or prolonged intubation, or who cannot undergo neck ultrasound are unlikely to benefit from this intervention.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, dCTAR could strengthen swallowing muscles and improve hyoid-larynx movement to reduce choking, aspiration, and feeding difficulties in people with post-stroke dysphagia.
How similar studies have performed: Conventional CTAR is widely used and has shown effectiveness in strengthening suprahyoid muscles, but dCTAR is a newer variant first reported in 2022 with only limited clinical evidence so far.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Age 18-90 years old * Be conscious and able to cooperate with the inspection * Patients with dysphagia after stroke (Functional oral intake scale, FOIS 1-6) or healthy subjects (FOIS 7) Exclusion Criteria: * Have a history of head and neck cancer * Other medical history known to cause dysphagia (such as neck surgery, intubation, etc.) * Ultrasound examination cannot be performed if there are wounds, air incisions or other structural abnormalities in the neck
Where this trial is running
Taipei, Taipei
- National taiwan university hospital — Taipei, Taipei, Taiwan (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Study coordinator: Ming-Yen Hsiao, Ph.D
- Email: myferrant@gmail.com
- Phone: 886-2-23123456
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.