Dysphagia Digital Therapy: A Pilot Study

NCT ID: NCT07311161

Last Updated: 2026-01-02

Study Results

Results pending

The study team has not published outcome measurements, participant flow, or safety data for this trial yet. Check back later for updates.

Basic Information

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Recruitment Status

COMPLETED

Clinical Phase

NA

Total Enrollment

10 participants

Study Classification

INTERVENTIONAL

Study Start Date

2024-05-30

Study Completion Date

2025-04-08

Brief Summary

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Dysphagia is a swallowing disorder characterized by impaired transfer of food or liquid from the oral cavity through the pharynx and esophagus, leading to significant nutritional, respiratory, and quality-of-life consequences.

Despite these advances, existing dysphagia rehabilitation programs are largely limited to specific disease groups, restricting their generalizability. In clinical practice, dysphagia arises from diverse etiologies, including stroke, neurodegenerative diseases, and other neurological or muscular conditions, which share common rehabilitation goals such as safe swallowing, aspiration prevention, and maintenance of oral intake.

This pilot study aimed to evaluate the feasibility and preliminary effectiveness of a novel mobile-based digital therapeutic (DTx) application for dysphagia rehabilitation across a clinically heterogeneous population. The DTx platform leverages mobile device camera signals to provide real-time feedback, structured reminders, and quantitative monitoring of self-directed training. We hypothesized that integrating this DTx into dysphagia care would enhance patient engagement, adherence, and swallowing-related outcomes. The findings of this study are expected to inform future large-scale trials and support the broader implementation of digital therapeutics in dysphagia rehabilitation.

Detailed Description

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Conditions

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Dysphagia Rehabilitation

Study Design

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Allocation Method

NA

Intervention Model

SINGLE_GROUP

This was a single-center, prospective, case series pilot study. Participants were diagnosed as dysphagia after VFSS.

Two sessions of swallowing therapy and digital therapeutic (DTx) education were conducted by an occupational therapist to familiarize the participant. Each participant then performed individualized home-based swallowing exercises using the DTx application for 4 weeks, three times daily.

The individuals allowed a preliminary evaluation of the feasibility and applicability of the mobile-based digital therapeutic intervention across a broad spectrum of dysphagia etiologies.

The primary outcome of this study was the assessment of airway protection using the Penetration-Aspiration Scale (PAS) evaluated through videofluoroscopic swallowing study (VFSS).
Primary Study Purpose

DEVICE_FEASIBILITY

Blinding Strategy

NONE

Study Groups

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Patients with dysphagia

Group Type EXPERIMENTAL

"Pallow", mobile-based digital therapeutic (DTx)

Intervention Type DEVICE

mobile-based digital therapeutic (DTx) application designed for swallowing rehabilitation

Interventions

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"Pallow", mobile-based digital therapeutic (DTx)

mobile-based digital therapeutic (DTx) application designed for swallowing rehabilitation

Intervention Type DEVICE

Eligibility Criteria

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Inclusion Criteria

1. Aged ≥18 years with dysphagia from head and neck cancer surgery/chemotherapy, cerebrovascular/neurodegenerative diseases, or neuromuscular diseases
2. Swallowing difficulty, indicated by Penetration-Aspiration Score (PAS) ≥2 by VFSS
3. Ability to sit for more than 30 minutes
4. no significant cognitive impairment and mobile device access (MMSE\>24)

Exclusion Criteria

1. Participants who need hospitalization (e.g. pneumonia)
2. Requirement of surgical treatment during the study
Minimum Eligible Age

18 Years

Eligible Sex

ALL

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Sponsors

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Dongtan Sacred Heart Hospital

OTHER

Sponsor Role lead

Responsible Party

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Responsibility Role SPONSOR

Locations

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Hallym University Dongtan Sacred Heart Hospital

Hwaseong-si, Gyeonggi-do, South Korea

Site Status

Countries

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South Korea

Other Identifiers

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2024-03-005

Identifier Type: -

Identifier Source: org_study_id

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