Impact of Lingual Endurance Exercise on Rehabilitation of Swallowing Impairments After Ischemic Stroke
Swallowing impairments (dysphagia) frequently occur after stroke and have devastating consequences on overall health and quality of life, and long-term deficits in swallow function also increase risk of morbidity (e.g. depression) and mortality (i.e. aspiration pneumonia). As such, rehabilitation of swallow function to improve safety and efficiency of swallowing is essential in this population. This study aims to: 1) Provide preliminary data to evaluate the effect of a novel lingual endurance exercise on swallow function in individuals with post-stroke dysphagia; and 2) Collect preliminary data regarding changes in white matter tract diffusion and cortical thickness and from MRI data to better understand effects of lingual exercise training on neuroplasticity.
• 1\) 3-6 months since most recent diagnosis of ischemic, confirmed from clinical imaging) with or without small hemorrhagic transformation (HI-1)
• 2\) Have some indication of on-going swallowing issues
• 3\) English Speaking