Research Corner

The overarching goal of my research is to understand pathophysiologic mechanisms driving swallowing impairment in Parkinson disease, and to evaluate effective therapies to target these mechanisms. 

Parkinson disease is one of the most common neurological disorders internationally. Parkinson disease-related dysphagia is highly associated with morbidity related to risk of malnutrition, aspiration pneumonia, reduced quality of life, and mortality. In order to assess and manage Parkinson disease-related dysphagia appropriately, it is imperative for clinicians to have a thorough understanding of the mechanisms that contribute to impairment.  The paucity of research evidence in this area, paired with my clinical experiences working with this population, initially led me to pursue my doctoral training with the hope of bridging this gap.

My dissertation research study is guided by two prior findings from studies I conducted during my PhD: first, that exercise-based interventions targeting swallowing efficiency and muscle strength show preliminary evidence of effectiveness; and second, based on our research, that prolonged time-to-Laryngeal Vestibule Closure (a predictor of airway protection in swallowing), and poor pharyngeal constriction (a predictor of bolus clearance) are implicated in Parkinson disease-related dysphagia. In other patients with dysphagia, the effortful swallow maneuver is commonly used to target faster airway protection and improved bolus clearance. Other exercise-based interventions emphasizing effort have shown some promise for improving swallowing in people with Parkinson disease; the impact of the effortful swallow maneuver, however, has not yet been studied in this population. 

Therefore, the objective of my research will be to study the immediate and long-term efficacy of the effortful swallow maneuver on swallowing physiology in Parkinson disease. By relating treatment to physiology, the ultimate goal of my research is to improve swallowing outcomes and alleviate dysphagia symptoms in patients with Parkinson disease.