Interventions for Patients With Alzheimer's Disease and Dysphagia

• Status: Not yet recruiting
• Trial end date: 2023-12-01
• Target enrollment: 76
• Participant gender: All

Summary

The overall purpose of this project is to develop effective dysphagia rehabilitative interventions for patients with Alzheimer's Disease at risk for pneumonia development.

• Phase: Early Phase 1
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers?: No

Details

• Lead Sponsor: University of Wisconsin, Madison

Criteria

Inclusion Criteria for Patients

1. Non-hospice inpatient or outpatient seen at University of Wisconsin Hospital and Clinics

2. Age 18-99

3. English-speaking

4. A documented pre-hospitalization diagnosis of mild-moderate dementia

5. Must have videofluoroscopic swallow study ordered by their clinician as part of their clinical care

6. Diagnosis of oropharyngeal dysphagia based on the videofluoroscopic swallow study (Penetration-Aspiration scale score of 3 or higher and/or moderate oropharyngeal residue in any location in the oral cavity or pharynx)

7. Actively involved caregiver

8. Resides at home

Inclusion Criteria for Caregivers

1. English speaking

2. Age 18-99

3. Contact with patient at least 3 times a week

4. Has access to a working telephone

Exclusion Criteria for Patients

1. Discharged to institutional settings (e.g., other hospitals, skilled nursing facilities, long-term care centers)

2. Discharged to hospice

3. Current/active stroke diagnosis

4. History of head and neck cancer or other structural deformity that can affect swallowing

5. Allergy to barium

6. Currently pregnant or planning to become pregnant

Exclusion Criteria for Caregivers

1. Lacks ability to give consent