The Effects of Whole-body Exercise to Improve Swallowing Function in Older Adults With Dementia

NCT04362228 | Completed

• 1 other identifier: REB project #10638
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 9
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

Swallowing impairment (dysphagia) is extremely common in older adults living with dementia due to age-related changes in swallowing and other disease-specific impairments. Dysphagia is commonly managed by modifying diet textures rather than engaging in rehabilitative swallowing therapy. This means that countless people with dementia are left to eat pureed foods and drink thickened liquids, which are unpalatable and lead to malnutrition. As the disease progresses, many are transferred to nursing homes. In Canada, speech-language pathologists, who manage dysphagia, are consultants within nursing homes; therefore, swallowing therapy is non-existent. However, exercise therapy is more commonly available. Rodent models have demonstrated that physical exercise strengthens tongue and vocal-fold musculature, which are critical components of swallowing. Therefore, it is possible that whole-body physical exercise, which increases rate of respiration, will help to strengthen swallowing-related musculature in older adults with dementia. In this study, older adults (65+) with early-stage dementia will complete a 12-week physical exercise program to determine improvement of swallowing function.

Conditions

Old Age; Dementia; Swallowing Disorder; Cough; Parkinson Disease; Neuro-Degenerative Disease

Keywords

dementia; swallowing; physical exercise; parkinson disease

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (2)

• Change in respiratory function from baseline to end of intervention

  Measure via peak cough flow using a peak flow meter

  baseline, week 4, week 14 and week 16

• Change in swallowing function from baseline to end of intervention

  Measure via isometric tongue strength using an Iowa Oral Performance Instrument

  baseline, week 4, week 14 and week 16

Secondary Outcomes (1)

• Change in aerobic fitness from baseline to end of intervention

  baseline, week 4, week 14 and week 16

Study Arms (1)

Whole-body exercise

EXPERIMENTAL

Behavioral: Whole-body exercise

Interventions

Whole-body exercise BEHAVIORAL

10-week one-on-one, virtual, whole-body exercise class, 3x/week, focused on increasing respiratory rate through moderate-intensity aerobic exercises.

Whole-body exercise

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 60 Years+
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: No
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)

You may qualify if:

• \> 59 years of age
• able to walk independently with or without an assistive device for a distance of at least 10 meters
• able to be active for 60 minutes with rest breaks
• abe to independently follow directions
• not involved in active rehabilitation
• a diagnosis of a progressive neurologic disease
• a maximum value for tongue strength \<40 kPa

You may not qualify if:

• neurological conditions other than a progressive neurologic disease
• significant cardiovascular conditions
• severe aphasia
• pain, other medical conditions or behavioural issues that would limit safe participation in the exercise program
• individuals with known structural causes of dysphagia
• individuals with known allergies to latex
• individuals receiving swallowing rehab

Sponsors & Collaborators

• McMaster University: lead
• Joseph Brant Hospital: collaborator

Study Sites (1)

McMaster University

Hamilton, Ontario, Canada

Location

Related Publications (2)

• Kletzien H, Russell JA, Connor NP. The effects of treadmill running on aging laryngeal muscle structure. Laryngoscope. 2016 Mar;126(3):672-7. doi: 10.1002/lary.25520. Epub 2015 Aug 8.

  PMID: 26256100 BACKGROUND

• Kletzien H, Russell JA, Leverson GE, Connor NP. Differential effects of targeted tongue exercise and treadmill running on aging tongue muscle structure and contractile properties. J Appl Physiol (1985). 2013 Feb 15;114(4):472-81. doi: 10.1152/japplphysiol.01370.2012. Epub 2012 Dec 20.

  PMID: 23264540 BACKGROUND

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Alzheimer Disease; Deglutition Disorders; Cough; Parkinson Disease; Dementia; Motor Activity

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Brain Diseases; Central Nervous System Diseases; Nervous System Diseases; Tauopathies; Neurodegenerative Diseases; Neurocognitive Disorders; Mental Disorders; Esophageal Diseases; Gastrointestinal Diseases; Digestive System Diseases; Pharyngeal Diseases; Otorhinolaryngologic Diseases; Respiration Disorders; Respiratory Tract Diseases; Signs and Symptoms, Respiratory; Signs and Symptoms; Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms; Parkinsonian Disorders; Basal Ganglia Diseases; Movement Disorders; Synucleinopathies; Behavior

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: NA
• Masking: NONE
• Purpose: TREATMENT
• Intervention Model: SINGLE GROUP
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: SPONSOR

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: April 21, 2020
• First Posted: April 24, 2020
• Study Start: May 1, 2021
• Primary Completion: September 30, 2022
• Study Completion: September 30, 2022
• Last Updated: February 6, 2023

Record last verified: 2023-02

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

CA (1)