Post-stroke DysphagiaMI-PSDNCT07656844
Motor Imagery in Post-Stroke Dysphagia
A study testing Video-Assisted Motor Imagery, Motor Imagery Training and Conventional Dysphagia Rehabilitation in people with Post-stroke Dysphagia and Oropharyngeal Dysphagia (OPD), run by Ankara Etlik City Hospital at 1 site in Turkey (Türkiye).
Trial summary
This study evaluated the effects of motor imagery added to conventional swallowing rehabilitation in patients with dysphagia after stroke. Dysphagia, or swallowing difficulty, is a common problem after stroke and may increase the risk of aspiration, pneumonia, malnutrition, dehydration, and reduced quality of life. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 18 years and older
- Conditions the study is for
- Post-stroke Dysphagia, Oropharyngeal Dysphagia (OPD)
- What is being tested?
- Video-Assisted Motor Imagery, Motor Imagery Training and Conventional Dysphagia Rehabilitation
- Type of treatment
- Lifestyle or therapy programme
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 43 participants
- Where
- 1 siteTurkey (Türkiye)
- Study dates
- 1 Jul 2025to 31 May 2026
- Phase
- Interventional
- Are there results?
- None posted in the registry
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
- Age 18 years or older
- Diagnosis of stroke by a neurologist based on medical history, physical examination, and brain computed tomography and/or magnetic resonance imaging findings
- No progressive or non-progressive neurological disease other than stroke
- No known psychiatric disease
- No sensory dysfunction
- No communication problem
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- Mini-Mental State Examination score of 24 or higher and ability to follow commands at a level sufficient to comply with motor imagery practice
- Ability to maintain sitting balance and remain in a sitting position for 30 minutes
- Presence of dysphagia symptoms or need for further evaluation based on dysphagia screening tests, with referral for videofluoroscopic swallowing study
- No serious acute medical condition such as hemodynamic instability during testing
Who cannot join
- Refusal to participate in the study or withdrawal from the study during the study period
- Inadequate performance of videofluoroscopic swallowing evaluation due to technical, clinical, or patient compliance-related reasons
- Presence of sensory-motor aphasia
- Presence of visual or hearing impairment
- Presence of severe neglect
- Evidence of esophageal dysphagia on videofluoroscopy and/or clinical symptoms
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- History of surgery, cancer, or radiotherapy in the head and neck region that may affect swallowing
- Presence of vertebral problems that may restrict cervical movement, such as advanced cervical discopathy, prominent osteophyte formation, or cervical deformity
- Presence of neurological diseases other than stroke that may cause dysphagia, such as dementia, Parkinson disease, multiple sclerosis, or neuromuscular disease
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country.
Turkey (Türkiye)1 site
Ankara Etlik City Hospital, Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Clinic
Ankara, Ankara, 06170
About this study
Official title: The Effect of Motor Imagery on Swallowing Functions in Patients With Post-Stroke Dysphagia: A Single-Blind Randomized Controlled Study
This study evaluated the effects of motor imagery added to conventional swallowing rehabilitation in patients with dysphagia after stroke. Dysphagia, or swallowing difficulty, is a common problem after stroke and may increase the risk of aspiration, pneumonia, malnutrition, dehydration, and reduced quality of life.
Participants with post-stroke dysphagia were randomly assigned to one of three groups: video-assisted motor imagery, motor imagery alone, or control. All participants received conventional swallowing rehabilitation. In addition, the video-assisted motor imagery group watched videos showing swallowing-related actions and then mentally imagined the observed movement. The motor imagery alone group performed mental imagery of swallowing without visual stimulation. The control group received only conventional swallowing rehabilitation.
Read more
The intervention period lasted 4 weeks, with sessions performed twice weekly. Swallowing function was assessed before and after treatment using the Gugging Swallowing Screen, the Penetration-Aspiration Scale based on videofluoroscopic swallowing study, and the Stroke Impact Scale.
The aim of the study was to determine whether motor imagery, especially when supported by video observation, provides additional benefit for swallowing recovery in patients with post-stroke dysphagia.
Read the detailed description
This single-blind randomized controlled study was conducted in patients with post-stroke oropharyngeal dysphagia receiving inpatient rehabilitation. The study aimed to evaluate whether motor imagery added to conventional dysphagia rehabilitation improves swallowing function, and whether video-assisted motor imagery provides additional benefit compared with motor imagery alone.
Participants were randomly assigned to one of three groups. The video-assisted motor imagery group received conventional dysphagia rehabilitation plus video-assisted motor imagery. In this group, patients watched videos showing swallowing-related actions and then mentally simulated the observed swallowing movement. The motor imagery alone group received conventional dysphagia rehabilitation plus motor imagery training without visual stimulation. The control group received only conventional dysphagia rehabilitation.
The intervention was administered twice weekly for 4 weeks. Swallowing function was assessed before and after treatment using clinical and instrumental outcome measures, including the Gugging Swallowing Screen and the Penetration-Aspiration Scale based on videofluoroscopic swallowing study. Stroke-related functional impact and quality of life were evaluated using the Stroke Impact Scale.
The study was designed to determine whether motor imagery is a feasible adjunctive rehabilitation approach for improving swallowing safety and swallowing-related outcomes in patients with post-stroke dysphagia.
- Being tested
- Video-Assisted Motor Imagery, Motor Imagery Training, Conventional Dysphagia Rehabilitation
- Keywords
- Stroke, Dysphagia, Post-stroke dysphagia, Oropharyngeal dysphagia, Motor imagery, Action observation, Swallowing rehabilitation, Videofluoroscopic swallowing study, Penetration-Aspiration Scale, Gugging Swallowing Screen
- Medical subject headings
- Deglutition Disorders, Stroke
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
Video-Assisted Motor ImageryBehavioural
Participants watched videos showing swallowing-related actions and then performed motor imagery by mentally simulating the observed swallowing movement. This intervention was added to conventional dysphagia rehabilitation.
Motor Imagery TrainingBehavioural
Participants performed mental imagery of swallowing without visual stimulation. This intervention was added to conventional dysphagia rehabilitation.
Conventional Dysphagia RehabilitationBehavioural
Conventional dysphagia rehabilitation included standard swallowing therapy approaches used in clinical practice, such as swallowing exercises, compensatory strategies, postural adjustments, and diet or consistency modifications when appropriate.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Video-Assisted Motor Imagery Group | Experimental | Participants in this group received conventional dysphagia rehabilitation plus video-assisted motor imagery. They watched videos depicting swallowing-related actions and then mentally simulated the observed swallowing movement. The intervention was administered twice weekly for 4 weeks. Receives: Behavioral: Video-Assisted Motor Imagery; Behavioral: Conventional Dysphagia Rehabilitation |
| Motor Imagery Alone Group | Experimental | Participants in this group received conventional dysphagia rehabilitation plus motor imagery training without visual stimulation. They were instructed to mentally imagine the swallowing movement. The intervention was administered twice weekly for 4 weeks. Receives: Behavioral: Motor Imagery Training; Behavioral: Conventional Dysphagia Rehabilitation |
| Control Group | Active comparator | Participants in this group received conventional dysphagia rehabilitation alone. The rehabilitation program was administered twice weekly for 4 weeks. Receives: Behavioral: Conventional Dysphagia Rehabilitation |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Change in Penetration-Aspiration Scale Score
Change in swallowing safety was assessed using the Penetration-Aspiration Scale based on videofluoroscopic swallowing study. The scale evaluates airway invasion during swallowing. Scores range from 1 to 8, with higher scores indicating greater penetration or aspiration severity. A decrease in score indicates improvement.
Measured: Baseline and Week 4 (end of intervention)
Secondary outcomes (2)
Change in Gugging Swallowing Screen Score
Change in swallowing function was assessed using the Gugging Swallowing Screen. The scale evaluates dysphagia severity and aspiration risk. Scores range from 0 to 20, with higher scores indicating better swallowing function and lower dysphagia severity. An increase in score indicates improvement.
Measured: Baseline and Week 4 (end of intervention)
Change in Stroke Impact Scale Score
Change in stroke-related functional impact and quality of life was assessed using the Stroke Impact Scale. Higher scores indicate better stroke-related function and quality of life. An increase in score indicates improvement.
Measured: Baseline and Week 4 (end of intervention)
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted18 Jun 2026
- Study start1 Jul 2025
- Primary completion31 May 2026
- Study completion31 May 2026
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Other trials for Post-stroke DysphagiaStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.
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
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Model description
- Participants were randomly assigned to one of three parallel groups: video-assisted motor imagery plus conventional dysphagia rehabilitation, motor imagery alone plus conventional dysphagia rehabilitation, or conventional dysphagia rehabilitation alone.
- Masking
- Single blind
- Who is masked
- Outcomes assessor
- Enrolment
- 43 participants (actual)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Ankara Etlik City Hospital
- Sponsor type
- Other government
- Responsible party
- Principal investigator, Gizem Karcı Aktekin, Ankara Etlik City Hospital
- Investigators
- Gizem Karcı Aktekin, MD, Principal investigator, Ankara Etlik City Hospital, Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Clinic
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07656844
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- Motor Imagery
- Acronym
- MI-PSD
- Status last verified
- Jun 2026
- First submitted
- 14 Jun 2026
- Last updated
- 24 Jun 2026
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- No: Individual participant data will not be shared.
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 24 Jun 2026. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- The Effect of Motor Imagery on Swallowing Functions in Patients With Post-Stroke Dysphagia: A Single-Blind Randomized Controlled Study
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07656844
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- MI-PSD / Motor Imagery
- Keywords
- Stroke, Dysphagia, Post-stroke dysphagia, Oropharyngeal dysphagia, Motor imagery, Action observation, Swallowing rehabilitation, Videofluoroscopic swallowing study
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Completed
- Enrolment
- 43 participants (actual)
- Lead sponsor
- Ankara Etlik City HospitalOther government
- Study start
- 1 Jul 2025 (actual)
- Primary completion
- 31 May 2026 (actual)
- Study completion
- 31 May 2026 (actual)
- First posted
- 18 Jun 2026 (actual)
- Results
- Not posted in the source record
Clinical summary
The research question as the sponsor registered it. This describes what the study plans to test, not what it found.
This study evaluated the effects of motor imagery added to conventional swallowing rehabilitation in patients with dysphagia after stroke. Dysphagia, or swallowing difficulty, is a common problem after stroke and may increase the risk of aspiration, pneumonia, malnutrition, dehydration, and reduced quality of life.
Participants with post-stroke dysphagia were randomly assigned to one of three groups: video-assisted motor imagery, motor imagery alone, or control. All participants received conventional swallowing rehabilitation. In addition, the video-assisted motor imagery group watched videos showing swallowing-related actions and then mentally imagined the observed movement. The motor imagery alone group performed mental imagery of swallowing without visual stimulation. The control group received only conventional swallowing rehabilitation.
The intervention period lasted 4 weeks, with sessions performed twice weekly. Swallowing function was assessed before and after treatment using the Gugging Swallowing Screen, the Penetration-Aspiration Scale based on videofluoroscopic swallowing study, and the Stroke Impact Scale.
The aim of the study was to determine whether motor imagery, especially when supported by video observation, provides additional benefit for swallowing recovery in patients with post-stroke dysphagia.
Detailed description
This single-blind randomized controlled study was conducted in patients with post-stroke oropharyngeal dysphagia receiving inpatient rehabilitation. The study aimed to evaluate whether motor imagery added to conventional dysphagia rehabilitation improves swallowing function, and whether video-assisted motor imagery provides additional benefit compared with motor imagery alone.
Participants were randomly assigned to one of three groups. The video-assisted motor imagery group received conventional dysphagia rehabilitation plus video-assisted motor imagery. In this group, patients watched videos showing swallowing-related actions and then mentally simulated the observed swallowing movement. The motor imagery alone group received conventional dysphagia rehabilitation plus motor imagery training without visual stimulation. The control group received only conventional dysphagia rehabilitation.
The intervention was administered twice weekly for 4 weeks. Swallowing function was assessed before and after treatment using clinical and instrumental outcome measures, including the Gugging Swallowing Screen and the Penetration-Aspiration Scale based on videofluoroscopic swallowing study. Stroke-related functional impact and quality of life were evaluated using the Stroke Impact Scale.
The study was designed to determine whether motor imagery is a feasible adjunctive rehabilitation approach for improving swallowing safety and swallowing-related outcomes in patients with post-stroke dysphagia.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- Single blind (outcomes assessor)
- Number of arms
- 3
- Model description
- Participants were randomly assigned to one of three parallel groups: video-assisted motor imagery plus conventional dysphagia rehabilitation, motor imagery alone plus conventional dysphagia rehabilitation, or conventional dysphagia rehabilitation alone.
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Video-Assisted Motor Imagery Group | Experimental | Behavioral: Video-Assisted Motor Imagery, Behavioral: Conventional Dysphagia RehabilitationParticipants in this group received conventional dysphagia rehabilitation plus video-assisted motor imagery. They watched videos depicting swallowing-related actions and then mentally simulated the observed swallowing movement. The intervention was administered twice weekly for 4 weeks. |
| Motor Imagery Alone Group | Experimental | Behavioral: Motor Imagery Training, Behavioral: Conventional Dysphagia RehabilitationParticipants in this group received conventional dysphagia rehabilitation plus motor imagery training without visual stimulation. They were instructed to mentally imagine the swallowing movement. The intervention was administered twice weekly for 4 weeks. |
| Control Group | Active comparator | Behavioral: Conventional Dysphagia RehabilitationParticipants in this group received conventional dysphagia rehabilitation alone. The rehabilitation program was administered twice weekly for 4 weeks. |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 18 years and older
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Not accepted
- Age groups
- Adult, Older adult
Key inclusion criteria (10 listed)
- Age 18 years or older
- Diagnosis of stroke by a neurologist based on medical history, physical examination, and brain computed tomography and/or magnetic resonance imaging findings
- No progressive or non-progressive neurological disease other than stroke
- No known psychiatric disease
- No sensory dysfunction
Key exclusion criteria (9 listed)
- Refusal to participate in the study or withdrawal from the study during the study period
- Inadequate performance of videofluoroscopic swallowing evaluation due to technical, clinical, or patient compliance-related reasons
- Presence of sensory-motor aphasia
- Presence of visual or hearing impairment
- Presence of severe neglect
Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening; this overview does not establish that a patient qualifies. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Interventions
| Intervention | Type | Arms |
|---|---|---|
| Video-Assisted Motor ImageryParticipants watched videos showing swallowing-related actions and then performed motor imagery by mentally simulating the observed swallowing movement. This intervention was added to conventional dysphagia rehabilitation. | Behavioural | Video-Assisted Motor Imagery Group |
| Motor Imagery TrainingParticipants performed mental imagery of swallowing without visual stimulation. This intervention was added to conventional dysphagia rehabilitation. | Behavioural | Motor Imagery Alone Group |
| Conventional Dysphagia RehabilitationConventional dysphagia rehabilitation included standard swallowing therapy approaches used in clinical practice, such as swallowing exercises, compensatory strategies, postural adjustments, and diet or consistency modifications when appropriate. | Behavioural | Control Group, Motor Imagery Alone Group, Video-Assisted Motor Imagery Group |
Primary outcome
Change in Penetration-Aspiration Scale Score
Time frame: Baseline and Week 4 (end of intervention)
Change in swallowing safety was assessed using the Penetration-Aspiration Scale based on videofluoroscopic swallowing study. The scale evaluates airway invasion during swallowing. Scores range from 1 to 8, with higher scores indicating greater penetration or aspiration severity. A decrease in score indicates improvement.
2 secondary outcomes
Change in Gugging Swallowing Screen Score
Time frame: Baseline and Week 4 (end of intervention)
Change in Stroke Impact Scale Score
Time frame: Baseline and Week 4 (end of intervention)
Results and safety
The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 24 Jun 2026.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: No. Individual participant data will not be shared.
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Referral and contact
AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals. Contact the study team or a site listed below; they decide who can take part. This study is not recruiting at the moment.
Gizem Karcı Aktekin, MD principal investigator
Ankara Etlik City Hospital, Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Clinic
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A study testing Video-Assisted Motor Imagery, Motor Imagery Training and Conventional Dysphagia Rehabilitation in people with Post-stroke Dysphagia and Oropharyngeal Dysphagia (OPD), run by Ankara Etlik City Hospital at 1 site in Turkey (Türkiye).
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 10 inclusion and 9 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: finished, as of the sponsor's last update on 24 Jun 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 Turkey (Türkiye). 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?
The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.
How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?
The record lists no contact. The official record names the sponsor, who can be asked directly. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
Change in Penetration-Aspiration Scale Score (time frame: Baseline and Week 4 (end of intervention)). 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 24 Jun 2026.