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Optimizing Dysphagia Treatment Delivery in Acute Care: A Hybrid Efficacy Implementation Trial
Sponsor: Vanderbilt University Medical Center
Summary
This research study is investigating the efficacy and implementation of expiratory muscle strength training (EMST), standard of care dysphagia treatment, and intensive dysphagia treatment in critically ill adults in the acute care setting. Currently, no targeted, effective, and feasible dysphagia treatment approaches currently exist for use in critically ill adults in the acute care setting. The current study will investigate the impact of EMST, standard of care dysphagia treatment, and intensive dysphagia treatment on pulmonary function, cough function, swallow function, frailty, patient-reported swallow function, and health outcomes in critically ill adults. This study will also examine patient perceptions and clinical speech-language pathologists' perceptions of the acceptability, appropriateness, and feasibility of these interventions. Critically ill adults will: undergo tests of breathing, cough, and swallow function, complete questionnaires about the treatment, and their swallow function, and complete their respective treatment as prescribed. Clinical speech-language pathologists will complete questionnaires about the interventions. A subset of critically ill adults and clinical speech-language pathologists will also have the opportunity to participate in focus groups.
Key Details
Gender
All
Age Range
18 Years - Any
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Enrollment
120
Start Date
2027-04
Completion Date
2029-02
Last Updated
2026-09-09
Healthy Volunteers
No
Conditions
Interventions
Expiratory muscle strength training (EMST)
EMST devices will be set to 60% of participants' maximum expiratory pressure. Participants will complete training 5 days per week by performing 5 sets of 5 repetitions.
Standard of Care Dysphagia Treatment
Critically ill adults will perform one set of ten repetitions of each exercise recommended by their clinical speech-language pathologist. Enrolled participants will complete up to two training sessions per week (0-2 pending normal clinical care course) with a clinical speech-language pathologist
Intensive Dysphagia Treatment
Critically ill adults will perform one set of ten repetitions of each exercise (effortful swallow, Masako maneuver, Mendelsohn maneuver, chin tuck against resistance, tongue strengthening exercises, and may also participate in bolus driven therapy). Enrolled participants will complete five training sessions per week (at least 3 days/week with the PI or a trained member of the research team and up to 2 days/week with a member of the clinical speech-language pathology team).
Locations (1)
Vanderbilt University Medical Center
Nashville, Tennessee, United States