. 2009 Sep 17;25(1):40–65. doi: 10.1007/s00455-009-9239-7

Table 4.

Other interventions (rehabilitative techniques)

Level of evidence	Data analysis	Reference (literature)	Subjects^a/etiology	Evaluation techniques	Treatment(s)/groups (G)^b	Authors’ conclusions / key findings
B (nonrandomized clinical trial)	Statistical analysis	El Sharkawi et al. [38]	8 Idiopathic Parkinson’s disease	Videofluoroscopy Blinding	Lee Silverman Voice Treatment (LSVT)	LSVT improved neuromuscular control of the entire upper aerodigestive tract, improving oral tongue and tongue-base function during the oral and pharyngeal phases of swallowing: an overall 51% reduction in the number of swallowing motility disorders. For all swallow volumes and consistencies, oral transit time and oral residue were reduced and the oropharyngeal swallow efficiency was improved.
Robbins et al. [39]	10 Acute and chronic stroke	Quality-of-life measure, videofluoroscopy, clinical evaluation (dietary questionnaire), other (oral pressure measurements; MRI: N = 3) Blinding?	Isometric lingual exercise program (compressing air-filled bulb between tongue and hard palate)	Patients showed positive changes in lingual strength after 8 weeks of progressive resistance lingual exercises. Improved isometric strength corresponded with spontaneous increased pressure generation during swallowing. Patients showed significant improvement in swallowing function and dysphagia-specific quality-of-life measures, with reported changes in social life and dietary intake.

Level of evidence

Data analysis

Reference (literature)

Subjects^a/etiology

Evaluation techniques

Treatment(s)/groups (G)^b

Authors’ conclusions / key findings

B (nonrandomized clinical trial)

Statistical analysis

El Sharkawi et al. [38]

Idiopathic Parkinson’s disease

Videofluoroscopy

Blinding

Lee Silverman Voice Treatment (LSVT)

LSVT improved neuromuscular control of the entire upper aerodigestive tract, improving oral tongue and tongue-base function during the oral and pharyngeal phases of swallowing: an overall 51% reduction in the number of swallowing motility disorders. For all swallow volumes and consistencies, oral transit time and oral residue were reduced and the oropharyngeal swallow efficiency was improved.

Robbins et al. [39]

Acute and chronic stroke

Quality-of-life measure, videofluoroscopy, clinical evaluation (dietary questionnaire), other (oral pressure measurements; MRI: N = 3)

Blinding?

Isometric lingual exercise program (compressing air-filled bulb between tongue and hard palate)

Patients showed positive changes in lingual strength after 8 weeks of progressive resistance lingual exercises. Improved isometric strength corresponded with spontaneous increased pressure generation during swallowing. Patients showed significant improvement in swallowing function and dysphagia-specific quality-of-life measures, with reported changes in social life and dietary intake.

^aAdult men and women, unless otherwise stated

^bGroups based on etiology, treatment, or study design