Effect of Visual Biofeedback-Assisted Oropharyngeal Exercises in Post-Stroke Dysphagia

NCT07492719 · Status: RECRUITING · Phase: NA · Type: INTERVENTIONAL · Enrollment: 34

Last updated 2026-03-25

No results posted yet for this study

Summary

Post-stroke dysphagia is a common complication that negatively affects nutritional status, quality of life, and morbidity. Conventional swallowing rehabilitation, including oropharyngeal exercises and neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES), is widely used to improve swallowing function. This randomized controlled clinical study aims to investigate the effectiveness of visual biofeedback-assisted oropharyngeal exercises combined with NMES in patients with post-stroke dysphagia. Participants will be randomly assigned to either a visual biofeedback-assisted exercise group or a conventional exercise group, with both groups receiving NMES. Treatment will be administered five days per week for four weeks. Changes in swallowing function, suprahyoid muscle activity assessed by surface electromyography, and muscle stiffness evaluated by shear wave elastography will be analyzed to determine the effectiveness of the intervention.

Conditions

Interventions

DEVICE

Suprahyoid Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation (NMES)

Suprahyoid neuromuscular electrical stimulation will be applied using a clinically approved NMES device as part of the swallowing rehabilitation protocol. Stimulation parameters and electrode placement will follow standard therapeutic guidelines. NMES will be administered five days per week for four weeks.

BEHAVIORAL

Visual Biofeedback Training

Visual biofeedback will be provided through the NMES device interface using an interactive visual feedback task designed to activate swallowing-related muscles. During the intervention, participants will perform muscle activation tasks guided by real-time visual feedback. The task is designed to engage muscle groups similar to those targeted during conventional oropharyngeal swallowing exercises. The visual biofeedback training will be performed for approximately 20 minutes per session, five days per week for four weeks.

BEHAVIORAL

Conventional Oropharyngeal Exercises

Participants will perform conventional oropharyngeal swallowing exercises targeting swallowing-related muscle groups. The exercise program will consist of four exercises per session, including tongue resistance exercise, Shaker exercise, Mendelsohn maneuver, and effortful swallow. Each exercise will be performed for approximately five minutes per session, five days per week for four weeks. The exercises were selected to activate muscle groups similar to those engaged during the visual biofeedback training.

Sponsors & Collaborators

  • Gazi University

    lead OTHER

Study Design

Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
SINGLE
Model
PARALLEL

Eligibility

Min Age
18 Years
Sex
ALL
Healthy Volunteers
No

Timeline & Regulatory

Start
2026-02-16
Primary Completion
2028-01-31
Completion
2028-01-31

Countries

  • Turkey (Türkiye)

Study Locations

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Entities

Read the full study record

This page highlights key information. For complete eligibility criteria, study locations, investigator contacts, and the full protocol, visit the original record on ClinicalTrials.gov.

View NCT07492719 on ClinicalTrials.gov