Electromagnetic Therapy for Cervicogenic Dysphagia

NCT07765043 | Completed DMC

• 1 other identifier: HAPO-02-K-012-2024-01-1956
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 40
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

Cervicogenic dysphagia (CD) is a swallowing disorder in patients with cervicogenic pathology. Pulsed electromagnetic therapy (PEMT) is a widely utilized therapeutic modality. Objective: To investigate the effects of PEMT on swallowing function (SF) and dysphagia handicapping effects in patients with CD. Methods: 40 volunteer participants (50-60 years old) with CD and cervical spondylosis were randomly and equally assigned to the study group (PEMT+swallowing resistance training program "SRTP") and control group (placebo PEMT+SRTP). Intervention: All participants received 3 sessions of SRTP (resisted chin tuck-in and resisted swallowing exercises) and 2 PEMT sessions (20 minutes of 20 Hz low frequency, 0.8 milli Tesla low intensity) per week for 8 weeks. Outcome Measures: The SF was evaluated using the swallow difficulty questionnaire "SDQ", and the dysphagia handicapping effects were evaluated using the dysphagia handicap index (DHI) pre-and post-study. Statistical analysis: Within-group comparisons were done using a paired t-test, and the between-group differences were examined using two-way ANOVA; a significant value was set at P\<0.05.

Conditions

Swallowing Disorder.Other Specified

Keywords

Deglutition; Electromagnetic Therapy; Exercise

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (2)

• Swallowing function

  Assessment of the swallowing function using the Swallowing Disturbance Questionnaire, composed of 15 self-reported items.

  Baseline and post-8 weeks

• The dysphagia handicapping effects

  The dysphagia handicapping effects assessment (using Dysphagia Handicap Index)

  Baseline and post 8 weeks.

Secondary Outcomes (2)

• Pain intensity

  Baseline and post 8 weeks

• The forward head position

  Baseline and post 8 weeks

Study Arms (2)

Study group (received PEMFT + swallowing resistance training program; n=20)

EXPERIMENTAL

Participants in the study group received the PEMFT treatment program in addition to the swallowing resistance training program "SRTP (which included the resisted chin tuck-in and the resisted swallowing exercises).

Behavioral: The pulsed electromagnetic field treatment program plus the swallowing resistance training program

Control group (received placebo PEMFT + swallowing resistance training program; n=20)

PLACEBO COMPARATOR

Participants in the control (Placebo comparator) group received the placebo PEMFT treatment program in addition to the swallowing resistance training program "SRTP (which included the resisted chin tuck-in and the resisted swallowing exercises).

Behavioral: The placebo pulsed electromagnetic field treatment program plus the swallowing resistance training program

Interventions

The pulsed electromagnetic field treatment program plus the swallowing resistance training program BEHAVIORAL

The pulsed electromagnetic field treatment program plus the swallowing resistance training program

Study group (received PEMFT + swallowing resistance training program; n=20)

The placebo pulsed electromagnetic field treatment program plus the swallowing resistance training program BEHAVIORAL

The placebo pulsed electromagnetic field treatment program plus the swallowing resistance training program

Control group (received placebo PEMFT + swallowing resistance training program; n=20)

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 50 Years - 60 Years
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: No
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64)

You may qualify if:

• Individuals diagnosed with cervicogenic dysphagia and cervical spondylosis, aged 50-60 years, with a sedentary lifestyle (less than 30 minutes of aerobic activities per day), and who signed the written consent

You may not qualify if:

• Subjects diagnosed with rheumatological disease, cerebrovascular abnormalities, having a metal implant or previous cervical surgeries, or having received any physical therapy programs for cervical spondylosis or dysphagia within the last 6 months. Subjects with recent infection, cognitive impairments or dementia, cardiovascular instability, head or neck traumatic injuries, neurological disorders affecting swallowing (e.g., parkinsonism, stroke), those who received medications interfering with normal swallowing function (e.g., antiepileptics, antipsychotics, and antidepressant drugs), and subjects who refused to provide the signed informed consent were all excluded at the beginning of the study.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Umm Al-Qura University: lead

Study Sites (1)

Umm Al-Qura University

Mecca, 24351, Saudi Arabia

Location

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Motor Activity

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Behavior

Study Officials

• ASHRAF AM ABDELAAL, Ph.D.

  Umm Al-Qura University

  PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: DOUBLE
• Who Masked: PARTICIPANT, OUTCOMES ASSESSOR
• Masking Details: This study followed the pre-posttest, randomized, single-blind, parallel arm, placebo-controlled study design. All participants were blind to the PEMFT treatment (participants were not oriented towards the PEMFT, whether actual or placebo); assessors were blind to the groups' allocation and the received treatment, groups' allocation and study design.
• Purpose: TREATMENT
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Associate Professor

Model Details: This interventional study aimed to investigate the effects of Low-frequency, low-intensity electromagnetic field therapy on swallowing function and the dysphagia handicapping effects in patients with Cervicogenic dysphagia (CD). Forty participants matched the inclusion criteria, provided informed consent agreeing to participate in the study and publication of its results, and were randomly allocated to either the study group (received PEMFT + swallowing resistance training program "SRTP"; n=20) or the control group (received placebo PEMFT + SRTP; n=20). The study primary outcomes (swallowing function and dysphagia handicapping effect) and the secondary outcomes (pain and forward head position) were evaluated at the beginning and at the end of the study.

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: August 10, 2026
• First Posted: August 14, 2026
• Study Start: July 1, 2025
• Primary Completion: March 20, 2026
• Study Completion: May 25, 2026
• Last Updated: August 14, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-08

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

SA (1)