R13
Conditions
Interventions
Group 1: Intervention arm (EMST)
Participants receive expiratory muscle strength training using the EMST-150 device.
Training consists of five sets of five forceful expirations per day, performed on f
Sponsors
Marien Hospital Herne Universitätsklinikum der Ruhr-Universität Bochum
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
All
Age
65 Years to No maximum
Inclusion criteria
Inclusion criteria: Presence of clinically relevant oropharyngeal dysphagia confirmed by flexible endoscopic evaluation of swallowing (FEES).
Exclusion criteria
Exclusion criteria: Acute unstable medical or neurological conditions. Severe respiratory disease preventing safe expiratory muscle strength training. Inability to cooperate despite adequate support. Contraindications to intensive respiratory muscle training. Participation in another interventional study affecting swallowing function.
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame |
|---|---|
| WHAT: Change in swallowing function. WHEN: Comparison between baseline and 6-week follow-up. HOW: Assessed by standardized flexible endoscopic evaluation of swallowing and quantified using a published endoscopic composite swallowing score (sum score 0–108; higher scores indicate worse swallowing function). | — |
Secondary
| Measure | Time frame |
|---|---|
| Changes in dysphagia severity, swallowing-related quality of life, subjective swallowing symptoms, and functional oral intake, assessed using standardized instruments (e.g. FEES based dysphagia severity grade, SWAL-QOL, EAT-10, Functional Oral Intake Scale). In addition, maximal expiratory performance and the occurrence of aspiration pneumonia, unplanned hospitalizations, and mortality are recorded. | — |
Countries
Germany
Contacts
Public ContactGero Lueg
Marien Hospital Herne Universitätsklinikum der Ruhr-Universität Bochum
Outcome results
None listed