Improve swallowing through breath training
- Trial ID
- NCT07606547
- Official Title
- Biomechanical Effects of Expiratory Muscle Strength Training (EMST®) on Swallowing Function in Parkinson's Disease - a Prospective High-resolution Manometry Study
- Goal
- Improve swallowing through breath training
- Phase
- NA
- Status
- RECRUITING
- Sponsor
- University Hospital Muenster
- Study Type
- INTERVENTIONAL
- Enrollment
- 30 participants
- Conditions
- Parkinson's Disease (PD), Dysphagia
- Interventions
- exspiratory muscle strength training
Summary For Families
The goal is to see whether strengthening the muscles you use to blow out forcefully can improve swallowing safety and reduce aspiration in people with Parkinson's who have dysphagia. The approach uses expiratory muscle strength training, a resistance breathing exercise that makes expiratory and airway-protecting muscles work harder so cough strength and the pressure patterns during swallowing improve, and the team will use high-resolution manometry to measure those pressure changes precisely. Adults 18 and older with Parkinson's whose dysphagia has been confirmed by FEES are eligible, people with severe dementia or dysphagia from other causes are excluded, and about 30 participants are planned starting June 2026.
Locations
- University Hospital Münster, Department of Neurology, Münster, Germany
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is this trial testing?
- This trial is studying exspiratory muscle strength training. The goal is to see whether strengthening the muscles you use to blow out forcefully can improve swallowing safety and reduce aspiration in people with Parkinson's who have dysphagia. The approach uses expiratory muscle strength training, a resistance breathing exercise that makes expiratory and airway-protecting muscles work harder so cough strength and the pressure patterns during swallowing improve, and the team will use high-resolution manometry to measure those pressure changes precisely. Adults 18 and older with Parkinson's whose dysphagia has been confirmed by FEES are eligible, people with severe dementia or dysphagia from other causes are excluded, and about 30 participants are planned starting June 2026.
- Who can participate?
- Participants must be at least 18 Years.
- Where is this trial located?
- This trial is recruiting at 1 location.
- Does it cost anything to join?
- No. There is no cost to participate. Study-related care and treatment are provided at no charge.
- How long does the trial last?
- This trial is estimated to last approximately 1 year and 11 months.
- Will I get the real drug or a placebo?
- It depends on the trial design. Some Parkinson's trials are placebo controlled, meaning a portion of participants get an inactive comparison while others get the experimental treatment. Some use crossover designs so everyone eventually receives the active treatment at some point. Observational trials do not use a placebo at all because they are not testing a new treatment. The consent form for any specific trial spells out the design and your odds of being assigned to placebo before you enroll.
- How often will I need to visit the study site?
- Visit frequency varies by trial. Many Parkinson's studies require an in person visit every 4 to 12 weeks during the active treatment phase, with shorter or longer gaps depending on the design. The site coordinator can give you the full visit schedule before you sign anything, so you know what the time commitment looks like.
- Can I leave the trial if I change my mind?
- Yes. You can withdraw from any clinical trial at any time, for any reason, without affecting your standard medical care. Trials are voluntary by law. The team may ask if you are willing to do a brief exit visit so they can collect safety information, but you are not obligated.
- Will travel or parking be reimbursed?
- Many trials reimburse for parking, mileage, and sometimes lodging if the site is far from your home. Reimbursement policies vary by sponsor and site. When you contact the trial team, ask specifically what is covered and how reimbursement is processed.
- Can my spouse or care partner come with me to visits?
- In most cases yes, and it is often encouraged. Care partners can help with notes, questions, and getting home safely after a long visit. Some study assessments do need to happen one on one, but care partners are usually welcome for the rest of the appointment.