Swallowing problems, or dysphagia, affect up to 80% of people with Parkinson’s disease. These issues can lead to malnutrition, aspiration, recurrent lung infections, and a major decline in quality of life.
A new three-year, $1.9 million grant from the U.S. Department of Defense will support a phase 2 clinical trial designed to change that.
A Major New Study Led by UT Health San Antonio
Giselle Carnaby, PhD, MPH, a leading swallowing-disorders researcher at UT Health San Antonio, will oversee a multisite, randomized, double-blind trial to test an innovative therapy that retrains and strengthens swallowing in early Parkinson’s.
Key details:
- ~80 participants
- Ages 30 to 90
- Diagnosed with Parkinson’s
- Must be active-duty service members, veterans, or direct relatives
Carnaby says the trial fills a major gap:
“Swallowing disorders profoundly affect independence and health, yet treatment options remain limited.”
Why Parkinson’s Patients Struggle to Swallow
Parkinson’s disease disrupts the brain pathways that control movement, including the precise coordination needed for the nearly 30 muscles involved in swallowing.
Carnaby explains it as a signal problem:
“It’s like the brain’s radio is slightly off the station. Sometimes the signal comes through; other times it doesn’t. That inconsistency affects muscle timing.”
This breakdown can lead to:
- Delayed or slowed swallowing
- Food getting stuck
- Food or liquid entering the airway (aspiration)
- Persistent coughing and lung infections
The new therapy aims to strengthen the brain-muscle connection through structured, targeted swallowing exercises.
Pilot Study Results: Encouraging Early Gains
Carnaby’s team recently completed a pilot trial using an intensive swallowing-exercise program. Patients showed:
- Better swallowing performance
- Fewer choking or coughing episodes
- Higher confidence while eating
The improvements were significant enough to justify a larger, controlled trial.
Inside the New Study: Testing “SwallowFIT”
The full trial will compare:
- SwallowFIT – a proactive, high-intensity intervention
- Usual care
Participants will be followed at three and six months to assess:
- Swallowing function
- Aspiration rates
- Nutritional status
- Hospitalizations
- Biomechanical and imaging markers of swallowing efficiency
Where the Study Will Happen
- Brooke Army Medical Center, San Antonio – primary recruitment
- UT Health San Antonio – therapy delivery and data repository
The multidisciplinary team includes neurologists, biostatisticians, and military medical specialists.
What the SwallowFIT Program Involves
The therapy is rooted in neuroplasticity, the brain’s ability to rewire itself.
The structure:
- Two sessions per week for six weeks
- Guided by trained speech-language pathologists
- Combination of strength-building and coordination exercises
- Daily at-home practice
Carnaby notes:
“The exercises look simple, but they’re designed to recalibrate motor pathways. The goal is safer, more efficient swallowing.”
Why This Matters for Parkinson’s Patients
Better swallowing can:
- Reduce aspiration, a leading cause of death in Parkinson’s
- Improve nutrition and hydration
- Boost independence and social confidence
- Reduce hospitalizations
Carnaby highlights an often-overlooked benefit:
“Sharing a meal without fear of coughing or choking is incredibly powerful.”
Looking Ahead: A Path to Standard Care
If successful, this trial could pave the way for swallowing therapy to become a routine component of early Parkinson’s treatment. Future research may combine exercises with medications or neuromodulation to amplify results.
With Parkinson’s now the fastest-growing neurodegenerative disease, the impact could be national in scale.
As Carnaby puts it:
“This is about giving patients more time and a better quality of life. That’s what drives our work.”
