Clinical Research Directory

Inclusion criteria. Individuals will be able to participate if they: * Are \>/= 65 years of age as this is an independent predictor for dysphagia in PD * Are diagnosed with moderate-stage Parkinson's disease (Hoehn \& Yahr disease stage 2-3) * Disease duration \>3 years as this in an independent predictor for dysphagia in PD * Are currently managed using an antiparkinsonian medication, including at least one dopaminergic drug (i.e., carbidopa/levodopa or a dopamine agonist) * Have reduced tongue strength, defined as \< 45 kilopascals when completing a maximal isometric tongue push using the standard IOPI procedures * Present with some dysphagia symptoms, defined as a score \> 3 on the Eating Assessment Tool (EAT-10) * Have some mental imagery ability, defined as a score \> 2.5 greater on the KVIQ-10 short version * Present with signs of dysphagia that are clinically detectable, as defined by a score \< 178 on the Mann Assessment of Swallowing Ability (MASA) * Are cognitively able to participate, as defined by a score \> 19 on the telephone Montreal Cognitive Assessment (T-MoCA) * Have a normal oral structure as assessed with a standardized oral mechanism exam * Are fluent in English as all instruction will be provided in English Exclusion criteria. Individuals will not be eligible to participate if they report: * Changes to their dopaminergic medication management anytime during enrollment * They are currently recommended by a Speech-Language Pathologist to have NPO (nothing by mouth) status for safety reasons * A history of oral surgery (routine dental surgery acceptable) * Additional neurogenic disorders other than Parkinson's disease * A history of swallowing difficulty prior to Parkinson's disease diagnosis * A history of seizures * A history of cancer that would impact oral-motor function * A history of allergy to barium * That they have initiated deep brain stimulation less than 3 months from the start of the study, or that they are anticipated to have a change in deep brain stimulation status during participation in the study * Participation in other swallowing, speech, or voice treatments outside of the research treatment at the time of consent and anytime during enrollment * Demonstration of normal swallowing function on first study-related modified barium swallow test, defined as a level 6 or higher on the Dysphagia Outcome and Severity Scale (DOSS). Therefore, participants must get a DOSS of 5 or lower, indicating at least mild oropharyngeal dysphagia, at baseline testing before beginning the treatment protocol. This reduces the risk of a null finding by eliminating the enrollment of participants with functional swallows or subclinical swallowing issues. * A current pain disorder involving the jaw muscles or joint of the mandible (i.e., TMJ disorder or myofascial pain disorder) * Not being available to complete a 16-week in-person study protocol * Known or suspected perforation of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract * Known obstruction of the GI tract * High risk of GI perforation such as those with a recent GI perforation, acute GI hemorrhage or ischemia, toxic megacolon, severe ileus, post GI surgery or biopsy, acute GI injury or burn, or recent radiotherapy to the pelvis * High risk for aspiration such as those with known or suspected tracheo-esophageal fistula or obtundation * Known hypersensitivity to barium sulfate or any of the excipients of Varibar pudding No potential participant will be excluded on the basis of race, color, creed, sex, sexual orientation, or national origin.