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. 2022 Jun 13;23(1):490.
doi: 10.1186/s13063-022-06446-y.

Evaluating the effectiveness of stepwise swallowing training on dysphagia in patients with Alzheimer's disease: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial

Chenxin Wu #  1   2 , Kun Zhang #  3 , Junrong Ye #  1 , Xingxiao Huang  1 , Hang Yang  1 , Lexin Yuan  1   4 , Haoyun Wang  2 , Ting Wang  2 , Xiaomei Zhong  1 , Jianxiong Guo  5 , Lin Yu  6 , Aixiang Xiao  7   8   9
Affiliations

Evaluating the effectiveness of stepwise swallowing training on dysphagia in patients with Alzheimer's disease: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial

Chenxin Wu et al. Trials. .

Abstract

Background: The high prevalence of dysphagia among Alzheimer's disease (AD) patients has become a public health and economic concern. Therefore, effective and accessible dysphagia treatments are needed. As a fundamental rehabilitation of dysphagia, swallowing muscle exercises have received increased attention. Stepwise swallowing training (SST), integrated with all swallowing organs movement, is expected to improve swallowing dysfunction among AD patients. By using a randomized controlled trial design, we propose a multi-center research to evaluate the effectiveness of SST program among AD patients.

Methods: A multi-center exploratory randomized controlled trial, with a 4-week follow-up period, will be conducted in three major public psychiatric hospitals in Guangdong, China. Participants in the control group will be assigned to routine dysphagia care, while participants in the intervention group will undergo the same nursing care and additionally receive the SST program. The SST program includes five sections of swallowing organs training: lip movement, facial movement, tongue movement, mandibular movement, and neck movement. Primary outcomes evaluate the swallowing function, namely, Water Swallowing Test (WTS) and Standard Swallowing Assessment (SSA). Secondary outcomes aim at measuring the improvement of negative impacts of dysphagia, namely eating behavior, ability of daily activity, and nutritional status. Data will be collected at baseline (T1), at 2 weeks (T2, intervention), and 4 weeks after intervention (T3, follow-up).

Discussion: This study will offer trial-based evidence of the effectiveness of SST in relieving dysphagia among AD patients. SST program is expected to improve both the swallowing function and reduce the negative impacts of dysphagia, with an exploration of acceptability in the SST program.

Trial registration: Chinese Clinical Trial Registry, ChiCTR2200056481 . Prospectively registered on 6 February 2022.

Keywords: Alzheimer’s disease; Dysphagia; Protocol; Randomized controlled trial; Swallowing rehabilitation.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare that they have no competing interests.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Flow chart of the trial
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
SST flow chart
Fig. 3
Fig. 3
Schedule of outcome measurement
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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