Effects of therapy for dysphagia in Parkinson's disease: systematic review

Dysphagia. 2009 Mar;24(1):91-102. doi: 10.1007/s00455-008-9180-1. Epub 2008 Oct 18.

Abstract

This systematic review explores the effects of dysphagia treatment for Parkinson's disease. The review includes rehabilitative, surgical, pharmacologic, and other treatments. Only oropharyngeal dysphagia is selected for this literature search, excluding dysphagia due to esophageal or gastric disorders. The effects of deep brain stimulation on dysphagia are not included. In general, the literature concerning dysphagia treatment in Parkinson's disease is rather limited. Most effect studies show diverse methodologic problems. Multiple case studies and trials are identified by searching biomedical literature databases PubMed and Embase, and by hand-searching reference lists. The conclusions of most studies cannot be compared with one another because of heterogeneous therapy methods and outcome measures. Further research based on randomized controlled trials to determine the effectiveness of different therapies for dysphagia in Parkinson's disease is required.

Publication types

  • Review
  • Systematic Review

MeSH terms

  • Deglutition Disorders / etiology*
  • Deglutition Disorders / physiopathology
  • Deglutition Disorders / therapy*
  • Humans
  • Parkinson Disease / complications*
  • Parkinson Disease / physiopathology
  • Parkinson Disease / therapy