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Dysphagia RehabilitationRESA-SWALLOWNCT07546045

Personalized Rehabilitation With Organ-Preserving Robotic RESA in Head and Neck Cancer

A study testing Intensive and Personalized Speech, Swallowing, and Voice Rehabilitation (SSVR) in people with Dysphagia Rehabilitation, run by Christian Simon at 1 site in Switzerland.

Recruiting

Looking for participants now. Contact the study team or a site below to ask about taking part.

Sites and contacts
Official record
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Trial summary

This study aims to evaluate whether an intensive and personalized speech, swallowing, and voice rehabilitation (SSVR) program can help preserve swallowing function in patients with head and neck cancer undergoing minimally invasive robotic-assisted extended "Sistrunk" surgery (RESA). Read more about this study

Who is it for?
Ages 18 years and older
Conditions the study is for
Dysphagia Rehabilitation
What is being tested?
Intensive and Personalized Speech, Swallowing, and Voice Rehabilitation (SSVR)
Could I receive a placebo?
No, everyone receives an active treatment
How many people
53 participants
Where
1 siteSwitzerland
Study dates
May 2026to May 2030
Phase
Interventional
Are there results?
Not yet: the study is under way

Key requirements

Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.

  • Ages 18 years and older
  • All sexes
  • No healthy volunteers
  • Adult, Older adult

Who may be able to join

  • Patients scheduled for a surgery with robotic-assisted extended "Sistrunk" approach - multiport (RESA) with the Da Vinci Xi or SP robotic system for:
  • a primary tumor resection of (cohort 1) i. oropharyngeal (base of tongue with involvement of the vallecula) (T1-3) or ii. hypopharyngeal (piriform sinus, posterior hypopharyngeal wall, postcricoid region) (T1-2) or iii. supraglottis (epiglottis, false cord, aryepiglottic fold) (T1-3) (no cord fixation) or iv. glottis (HPV + and HPV -) squamous cell carcinoma of the upper aerodigestive tract, or
  • a tumor resection of recurrent or second primary of (cohort 2) i. oropharyngeal (base of tongue with involvement of the vallecula) (T1-3) ii. hypopharyngeal (piriform sinus, posterior hypopharyngeal wall, postcricoid region) (T1-2) iii. supraglottis (epiglottis, false cord, aryepiglottic fold) (T1-3) (no cord fixation) iv. glottis (HPV + and HPV -) squamous cell carcinoma of the upper aerodigestive tract, or
  • a laryngeal elevation aiming at improving dysphagia (cohort 3) i. in patients formerly treated for HNC and, ii. free of HNC for at least 2 years and, iii. with preserved vocal cord mobility assessed by videostroboscopy and, iv. with a MDADI ≤60 assessed at screening visit, v. with a PAS ≥ 5 assessed at screening visit by FEES vi. a minimum of 20 speech, swallowing and voice rehabilitation therapy sessions have already been carried out
  • Indication for speech, swallowing and voice rehabilitation after surgery
  • Informed consent signature
  • 18 years old or older at the time of informed consent signature

Who cannot join

  • Inability to give informed consent
  • Inability to follow study procedures (FEES, VFSS, questionnaires, "intensive" SSVR or else)
  • Any psychological, cognitive, familial, sociological or geographical condition potentially hampering compliance with the study protocol, completion of patient reported measures and follow-up schedule,
  • Inability to memorize one analytic and one compensatory exercise at screening visit
  • Participation in another study with an investigational drug or medical device within the 30 days preceding and during the present investigation,
  • previous enrolment into the current study,
  • contraindication to iodine contrast media (Accupaque) oral intake, i.e known anaphylaxis.

Trial locations and contacts

1 site in 1 country. Contact the study team or a site near you to ask about taking part.

Switzerland1 site, 1 recruiting
  • Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Vaudois (CHUV)

    Lausanne, 1011

    Jelena Todic, MD, +41(0)795560862, jelena.todic@chuv.ch

    Recruiting

Other trials in Switzerland

About this study

Official title: Intensive Personalized Rehabilitation Combined to Organ-Preserving Robotic-Assisted Extended "Sistrunk" Approach (RESA) to Preserve Swallowing in Head and Neck Cancer Patients: A Monocentric Clinical Trial

This study aims to evaluate whether an intensive and personalized speech, swallowing, and voice rehabilitation (SSVR) program can help preserve swallowing function in patients with head and neck cancer undergoing minimally invasive robotic-assisted extended "Sistrunk" surgery (RESA).

Participants will undergo the RESA surgery as part of their standard care. After surgery, they will receive a structured SSVR program for 12 weeks, including daily exercises performed both with a speech therapist and independently. The program is tailored to each patient and adapted based on regular assessments of swallowing and voice function.

Read more

The study includes three groups of patients:

Those having surgery for a primary tumor Those having surgery for a recurrent or second primary tumor Patients treated for laryngeal elevation to improve swallowing after previous cancer treatment

The main goal is to assess whether this approach improves swallowing function measured by a validated questionnaire 12 weeks after surgery. Secondary outcomes include long-term swallowing, voice, diet, post-operative complications, surgical success, disease recurrence, survival, and quality of life.

All participants will be followed for two years with regular visits at CHUV, including swallowing and voice tests, questionnaires, and imaging exams. The study is expected to provide important information on how combining minimally invasive surgery with intensive rehabilitation can benefit patients' swallowing and overall quality of life.

Being tested
Intensive and Personalized Speech, Swallowing, and Voice Rehabilitation (SSVR)

What participants receive

What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.

  • Intensive and Personalized Speech, Swallowing, and Voice Rehabilitation (SSVR)Other

    Participants will receive a 12-week intensive and personalized speech, swallowing, and voice rehabilitation (SSVR) program following minimally invasive robotic-assisted extended "Sistrunk" surgery (RESA).

    The program includes:

    • Supervised SSVR sessions (approximately 45 minutes) with a speech therapist, starting 7 days post-surgery, once per day during hospitalization, then 1-3 times per week outpatient up to week 12.
    • Unsupervised SSVR sessions (approximately 20 minutes) performed daily by the participant at home.
    • Exercises are personalized and adapted regularly based on functional assessments of swallowing and voice using FEES and VFSS exams.

    The goal is to improve swallowing safety and efficiency, voice quality, and overall functional outcomes.

Study groups in NCT07546045
Study groupRoleWhat they receive
Intensive and Personalized SSVRExperimentalAll participants receive a 12-week intensive and personalized speech, swallowing, and voice rehabilitation (SSVR) program following minimally invasive robotic-assisted extended "Sistrunk" surgery (RESA). Supervised sessions with a speech therapist and unsupervised daily exercises are included.
Receives: Other: Intensive and Personalized Speech, Swallowing, and Voice Rehabilitation (SSVR)

What is being measured

The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.

  1. Swallowing function measured by composite MDADI score

    The primary outcome is the percentage of participants reaching a composite MDADI score of 80 (cohorts 1 and 2) or 60 (cohort 3) at 12 weeks after surgery. All participants complete the MDADI questionnaire at screening and at the 12-week post-operative visit to assess swallowing function, safety, and quality of life related to dysphagia.

    Measured: 12 weeks post-surgery

Secondary outcomes (30)
  1. Long-term swallowing function - MDADI

    Composite MDADI scores will be assessed at screening, 6, 12, and 24 months post-surgery to evaluate the long-term effect of intensive and personalized SSVR on swallowing function.

    Measured: Up to 24 months post-surgery

  2. Dietary intake - Functional Oral Intake Scale (FOIS)

    Dietary intake will be assessed using the Functional Oral Intake Scale (FOIS), a 7-point ordinal scale ranging from 1 to 7. Score is rated on 7 when patient tolerates total normal diet with no restrictions.

    Measured: Up to 24 months post-surgery (assessed at screening, weeks 1, 4, 12, and months 6, 12, 24)

  3. Dietary consistency - International Dysphagia Diet Standardisation Initiative (IDDSI)

    Dietary consistency will be assessed using the International Dysphagia Diet Standardisation Initiative (IDDSI) framework, which classifies food and drink textures into levels ranging from 0 (thin liquids) to 7 (regular foods). Higher levels indicate more advanced diet textures.

    Measured: Up to 24 months post-surgery (assessed at screening, weeks 1, 4, 12, and months 6, 12, 24)

  4. Swallowing safety - Penetration-Aspiration Scale (PAS)

    Swallow safety will be assessed using the Penetration-Aspiration Scale (PAS). It is an 8-point scale (no unit) used to characterize the depth and response to airway invasion during swallowing. Higher scores indicate worse swallow safety.

    Measured: Up to 24 months post-surgery (assessed at screening, weeks 1, 4, 12, and months 6, 12, 24)

  5. Swallow efficiency - Eisenhuber scale

    Qualitative parameters will be assessed using VFSS: recording of the total number of swallows per bolus, evaluation of residue in the valleculae and piriform sinuses with the Eisenhuber scale (0-3, no unit).

    Measured: Up to 24 months post-surgery (assessed at screening, weeks 1, 4, 12, and months 6, 12, 24)

  6. Swallow Reaction Time (SRT)

    Swallow reaction time (SRT) will be quantitatively assessed using videofluoroscopic swallow study (VFSS). Unit of Measure: Milliseconds (ms)

    Measured: Up to 24 months post-surgery (assessed at screening, weeks 1, 4, 12, and months 6, 12, 24)

  7. Laryngeal Vestibule Closure Reaction Time (LVCrt)

    Laryngeal vestibule closure reaction time (LVCrt) will be quantitatively assessed using VFSS. Unit of Measure: Milliseconds (ms).

    Measured: Up to 24 months post-surgery (assessed at screening, weeks 1, 4, 12, and months 6, 12, 24)

  8. Pharyngeal Transit Time (PTT)

    Pharyngeal transit time (PTT) will be quantitatively assessed using VFSS. Unit of Measure: Milliseconds (ms).

    Measured: Up to 24 months post-surgery (assessed at screening, weeks 1, 4, 12, and months 6, 12, 24)

  9. Upper Esophageal Sphincter (UES) Opening Duration

    Upper esophageal sphincter (UES) opening duration will be quantitatively assessed using VFSS. Unit of Measure: Milliseconds (ms)

    Measured: Up to 24 months post-surgery (assessed at screening, weeks 1, 4, 12, and months 6, 12, 24)

  10. Swallow amplitude - hyoid elevation (HE)

    Hyoid elevation (HE) in millimeter (mm) will be assessed using VFSS.

    Measured: Up to 24 months post-surgery (assessed at screening, weeks 1, 4, 12, and months 6, 12, 24)

  11. Swallow amplitude - Laryngeal ascension amplitude

    Laryngeal ascension amplitude (mm) will be assessed using VFSS.

    Measured: Up to 24 months post-surgery (assessed at screening, weeks 1, 4, 12, and months 6, 12, 24)

  12. Swallow amplitude - normalized maximum width of upper esophageal sphincter (UES) opening

    normalized maximum width of upper esophageal sphincter (UES) opening (%) will be assessed using VFSS.

    Measured: Up to 24 months post-surgery (assessed at screening, weeks 1, 4, 12, and months 6, 12, 24)

  13. Swallow amplitude - Pharyngeal area at maximum dilation

    Pharyngeal area at maximum dilation (cm²) will be assessed using VFSS.

    Measured: Up to 24 months post-surgery (assessed at screening, weeks 1, 4, 12, and months 6, 12, 24)

  14. Swallow amplitude - Pharyngeal constriction ratio

    Pharyngeal constriction ratio (PCR, %) will be assessed using VFSS.

    Measured: Up to 24 months post-surgery (assessed at screening, weeks 1, 4, 12, and months 6, 12, 24)

  15. Swallow efficiency - Normalized Residue Ratio Scale valleculae (NRRSv)

    Swallow efficiency: measured with the Normalized Residue Ratio Scale valleculae (NRRSv)

    Measured: Up to 24 months post-surgery (assessed at screening, weeks 1, 4, 12, and months 6, 12, 24)

  16. Swallow efficiency - Normalized Residue Ratio Scale piriform (NRRSp)

    Swallow efficiency: measured with the Normalized Residue Ratio Scale piriform (NRRSp)

    Measured: Up to 24 months post-surgery (assessed at screening, weeks 1, 4, 12, and months 6, 12, 24)

  17. Voice quality - GRBAS scale

    Voice will be assessed at screening, weeks 4, 12, and months 6, 12, 24 using the GRBAS scale : (G(rade) of hoarseness, R(oughness), B(reathliness), A(esthenia) weakness, and S(train).

    Measured: Up to 24 months post-surgery

  18. Voice quality - Maximum Phonation Time (MPT)

    Voice will be assessed at screening, weeks 4, 12, and months 6, 12, 24 using the Maximum Phonation Time (MPT) (seconds).

    Measured: Up to 24 months post-surgery

  19. Voice quality - Jitter (variations in signal frequency)

    Voice will be assessed at screening, weeks 4, 12, and months 6, 12, 24 using the Jitter (variations in signal frequency) %.

    Measured: Up to 24 months post-surgery

  20. Voice quality - Shimmer (variation in signal amplitude)

    Voice will be assessed at screening, weeks 4, 12, and months 6, 12, 24 using the Shimmer (variation in signal amplitude) %.

    Measured: Up to 24 months post-surgery

  21. Post-operative complications - Clavien-Dindo

    Post-operative complications will be assessed using the Clavien-Dindo classification, a grading system ranging of 7 grades (I, II, IIIa, IIIb, IVa, IVb and V) and if the patient suffers from a complication at the time of discharge, the suffix "d" (for "disability") is added to the respective grade of complication. The grade I corresponds to any deviation from the normal postoperative course without the need for pharmacological treatment or surgical, endoscopic, and radiological intervention and the grade V corresponds to the death of the patient.

    Measured: from week 0 to 12

  22. Post-operative complication - Postoperative Hemorrhage

    Classification System for Postoperative Hemorrhage is graded as normal, minor, intermediate, major, or severe. The definition of normal is patient noting the presence of blood tinged mucus, flecks of blood, brown mucus, or red streaks, and the severe bleeding corresponds to bleeding resulting in life-threatening medical complications.

    Measured: From week 0 to week 1

  23. Loco-regional recurrence

    Local-regional control is defined as the time interval between the date of the 3-month mandatory imaging after the surgery and the date of local disease is detected. Local recurrence is defined as recurrence at the original primary tumor subsite or within 2 cm of distance from the primary tumor site. Regional recurrence is defined as recurrence at the cervical lymph node. The Time to first loco-regional recurrence (months) is assessed for cohorts 1 and 2.

    Measured: Up to 24 months post-surgery

  24. Distant tumor recurrence

    distant control is defined as the time interval between the date of the 3-month mandatory imaging if the patient after the surgery and the first date when distant disease is detected. Distant recurrence is defined as recurrence not considered as local or regional. Time to first distant recurrence (months) is assessed for cohorts 1 and 2.

    Measured: Up to 24 months post-surgery

  25. 2nd primary head and neck cancer (HNC) control

    Second primary head and neck cancer control is defined as the time interval between the date of surgery and the date of diagnosis of a second cancer in the head and neck region, but outside the original primary tumor subsite (months) for cohorts 1 and 2.

    Measured: Up to 24 months post-surgery

  26. Disease-free survival (DFS)

    Disease-free survival is defined as the time interval between the date of surgery and tumor recurrence or death from any cause (months) for cohort 1 and 2.

    Measured: Up to 24 months post-surgery

  27. Disease-specific survival

    Disease-specific survival is defined as the time interval between the date of surgery and the date of death due to original primary disease (months) for cohort 1 and 2.

    Measured: Up to 24 months post-surgery

  28. Overall survival (OS)

    Overall survival is defined as the time interval between the date of surgery and the date of death from any cause (months) for cohort 1 and 2.

    Measured: Up to 24 months post-surgery

  29. Surgical margin status

    Percentage of participants with negative (>3 mm), close (1-3 mm), and positive (<1 mm) surgical margins will be recorded post-surgery.

    Measured: Week 0 post-surgery

  30. Quality of life - EORTC QLQ-HN43

    Participants will complete the EORTC QLQ-HN43 questionnaire at screening, week 12, and months 6, 12, 24 to assess health-related quality of life.

    Measured: Up to 24 months post-surgery

Timeline

From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.

  1. First posted22 Apr 2026
  2. Study startMay 2026 (estimated)
  3. Primary completionAug 2028 (estimated)
  4. Study completionMay 2030 (estimated)

Resources

More details

For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.

Study design
Study type
Interventional
Phase
Phase N/A
Primary purpose
Treatment
Allocation
Not applicable
Intervention model
Single group
Masking
None (open label)
Enrolment
53 participants (estimated)
IDs, dates and publications
ClinicalTrials.gov ID
NCT07546045
Sponsor's protocol ID
2025-01892
Other IDs
2025
Acronym
RESA-SWALLOW
Status last verified
May 2026
First submitted
31 Mar 2026
Last updated
12 May 2026
Results posted
No
Data monitoring committee
No
FDA-regulated drug
No
FDA-regulated device
No
Individual data sharing
No

Questions about this trial

What is this clinical trial studying?

A study testing Intensive and Personalized Speech, Swallowing, and Voice Rehabilitation (SSVR) in people with Dysphagia Rehabilitation, run by Christian Simon at 1 site in Switzerland.

The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.

Who may be eligible to take part?

The sponsor lists 7 inclusion and 7 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.

Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?

The record says: looking for participants now, as of the sponsor's last update on 12 May 2026. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.

Where is the study taking place?

The record lists 1 site in Switzerland. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.

What are the possible benefits and risks?

They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.

Are results available for this study?

This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.

How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?

Contact Jelena Todic (+41(0)79 556 08 62, jelena.todic@chuv.ch), or a site near the patient. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.

What does the primary outcome measure?

Swallowing function measured by composite MDADI score (time frame: 12 weeks post-surgery). It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.

Where can I read the original study information?
Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?

No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.

How often is this information updated?

AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 12 May 2026.

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