Swallowing and Dysphagia Rehabilitation: Translating Principles of Neural Plasticity Into Clinically Oriented Evidence

TLDR

Swallowing rehabilitation research focuses on neural plasticity, with dysphagia defined as sensorimotor deficits from stroke, neurodegeneration, tumors, infection, or trauma, and understanding these principles is expected to improve evidence‑based treatment parameters. The review advocates for close collaboration between basic and clinical scientists to integrate neural‑plasticity principles into dysphagia rehabilitation, proposing research directions and experimental paradigms that aim to improve treatment strategies and outcomes. A multidisciplinary working group reviews ten neural‑plasticity principles and outlines experimental paradigms to translate these concepts into evidence‑based treatment strategies for oropharyngeal dysphagia.

Abstract

This review presents the state of swallowing rehabilitation science as it relates to evidence for neural plastic changes in the brain. The case is made for essential collaboration between clinical and basic scientists to expand the positive influences of dysphagia rehabilitation in synergy with growth in technology and knowledge. The intent is to stimulate thought and propose potential research directions.A working group of experts in swallowing and dysphagia reviews 10 principles of neural plasticity and integrates these advancing neural plastic concepts with swallowing and clinical dysphagia literature for translation into treatment paradigms. In this context, dysphagia refers to disordered swallowing associated with central and peripheral sensorimotor deficits associated with stroke, neurodegenerative disease, tumors of the head and neck, infection, or trauma.The optimal treatment parameters emerging from increased understanding of neural plastic principles and concepts will contribute to evidence-based practice. Integrating these principles will improve dysphagia rehabilitation directions, strategies, and outcomes. A strategic plan is discussed, including several experimental paradigms for the translation of these principles and concepts of neural plasticity into the clinical science of rehabilitation for oropharyngeal swallowing disorders, ultimately providing the evidence to substantiate their translation into clinical practice.