Improving Diagnostic Standards in Dysphagia

Summary

The purpose of this research is to understand the normal function of swallowing and respiratory muscles in order to establish normal parameters. This will allow us to compare normal physiology and function of swallowing and breathing muscles to people with a medical history that would put them at risk for a swallowing problem. Our goal is to identify the best tests that can be quickly and easily administered to accurately detect swallowing impairment in adults. Involvement is limited to a single 2-hour evaluation.

Conditions

• Dysphagia

Interventions

PROCEDURE

Fiberoptic Endoscopic Evaluation of Swallowing

This procedure involves inserting a flexible laryngoscope that contains a light source and video camera on the end through the open passage of the nose towards the back of the throat in order to visualize the swallowing mechanism.

PROCEDURE

Videofluoroscopic Swallowing Study

Videofluoroscopic swallowing study will be performed to measure oropharyngeal swallowing. This is like a moving x-ray of the swallow.

PROCEDURE

Voluntary Peak Cough Flow Testing

Voluntary peak cough flow testing will be performed to determine the peak expiratory flow (PEF) and volume of air expelled (FEV1) during voluntary coughing.

PROCEDURE

Iowa Oral Performance Instrument

The Iowa Oral Performance Instrument (IOPI) is a device that measures the peak pressure performance of lingual strength and endurance via the action of a bulb placed on the hard palate.

PROCEDURE

Capsaicin Challenge

A capsaicin challenge with three randomized blocks of 0, 50, 100, 200, and 500 μM capsaicin. The capsaicin will be dissolved in a vehicle solution consisting of 80% physiological saline, and 20% ethanol. Participants will be given the instruction "cough if you need to" prior to capsaicin delivery.The solution will be administered automatically upon detection of an inspired breath and there will be a minimum of one minute between each trial. This is to test the reflexive cough testing for upper airway sensitivity and motor thresholds.

PROCEDURE

Pulmonary Function Testing

Pulmonary Function testing will be performed using conventional methods and will include the following outcomes: forced vital capacity (FVC), maximum inspiratory pressure (MIP), and maximum expiratory pressure (MEP) expressed as a percentage of predicted values.

OTHER

Voicing Tasks

Voicing tasks will be completed to assess vocal ability.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• University of Florida

  lead OTHER

Principal Investigators

• Emily Plowman, PhD · University of Florida

Eligibility

Min Age

18 Years

Max Age

90 Years

Sex

ALL

Healthy Volunteers

Yes

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2021-04-27

Primary Completion

2023-09-23

Completion

2023-09-23

Countries

• United States

Study Locations