Rehabilitation interventions for oropharyngeal dysphagia in people with Parkinson's disease

Abstract

Parkinson’s disease is estimated to aEect 0.3% of people in industrialised countries, reaching 1% in people over 60 years old and 3% in people over 80 years ( Balestrino 2020 ; Ball 2019 ; Hirsch 2016 ). Swallowing disorders (dysphagia) are highly prevalent and clinically significant symptoms in people with Parkinson's disease ( Miller 2017 ; Suttrup 2016 ). A meta-analysis conducted by Kalf and colleagues reported a dysphagia prevalence of up to 82% in people with Parkinson's disease ( Kalf 2012 ). Dysphagia in Parkinson's disease can lead to severe consequences: aspiration pneumonia, prolonged hospitalisation, increased mortality rate, and reduced quality of life ( Dilmaghani 2022 ; Hobson 2018 ; Plowman-Prine 2009 ). Despite the high prevalence of dysphagia and its severe clinical sequelae in Parkinson's disease, there is a lack of scientific evidence on rehabilitation interventions. Since roughly 2013, there has been an increase in studies aiming to maintain or improve swallowing safety and eEiciency, reduce associated health complications, and increase swallowing-related quality of life in people with Parkinson's disease ( Battel 2020 ; Chang 2021 ; Cheng 2023 ).