Pharyngeal Exercise (Plus Protein)

Last updated: June 1, 2026
Sponsor: NYU Langone Health
Overall Status: Active - Recruiting

Phase

N/A

Condition

N/A

Treatment

Pharyngeal Swallowing Exercises

Protein Supplementation

MRI

Clinical Study ID

NCT05963113
23-00293
  • Ages > 65
  • All Genders
  • Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Study Summary

The swallowing muscles are prone to decreased strength and function as part of the natural aging process which can lead to difficulty swallowing, malnutrition, and frailty. Exercise and nutrition are powerful stimulators of muscular change. The proposed research will investigate the effectiveness of a 12-week proactive regimen of swallowing exercises (with or without daily protein supplement drinks) to improve the composition, force, and physiology of the swallowing muscles and explore the relationship to overall health and physical function in 80 community-dwelling older adults. Each participant will serve as their own control for 12 weeks before being randomized to complete swallowing exercises alone or swallowing exercises with protein drinks.

Eligibility Criteria

Inclusion

Inclusion Criteria:

  1. Participants must be 65 years of age or older.

  2. Participants must score a 1 or 2 on the FRAIL scale OR a 4 or greater on theStrength, Assistance in Walking, Rise from a Chair, Climb Stairs and Falls (SARC-F)Questionnaire.

  3. Participants must score 26 or greater on the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA).

  4. Willingness to participate in the study procedures.

Exclusion

Exclusion Criteria:

  1. Known structural or neurological causes of dysphagia.

  2. Cannot consume high levels of protein (Chronic Kidney Disease Stage 3 or higher).

  3. Contraindications to 3T whole body MRI scanners (e.g., pacemaker, cerebral aneurysmclip, cochlear implant, presence of shrapnel in strategic locations, metal in theeye, claustrophobia, or other problems).

Study Design

Total Participants: 120
Treatment Group(s): 3
Primary Treatment: Pharyngeal Swallowing Exercises
Phase:
Study Start date:
May 22, 2024
Estimated Completion Date:
December 31, 2028

Connect with a study center

  • NYU Langone Health

    New York, New York 10017
    United States

    Active - Recruiting

  • NYU Steinhardt School of Education

    New York, New York 10003
    United States

    Active - Recruiting

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