DysphagiaNCT07782424
Mechanisms of Air-pulse Pharyngeal Sensory Stimulation Regulation Post-stroke Swallowing Neural Network Remodeling Via TRPV4 Channel
A study testing Air-Pulse Sensory Stimulation in people with Dysphagia, run by First People's Hospital of Foshan.
Trial summary
This randomized, double-blind, sham-controlled clinical trial will investigate the effects and potential neural mechanisms of pharyngeal air-pulse sensory stimulation in patients with post-stroke dysphagia. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 18 to 76 yearsHealthy volunteers can take part
- Conditions the study is for
- Dysphagia
- What is being tested?
- Air-Pulse Sensory Stimulation
- Type of treatment
- Medical device
- Could I receive a placebo?
- Yes, some participants may receive a placebo
- How many people
- 80 participants
- Where
- No sites listed yet
- Study dates
- 1 Aug 2026to 31 Dec 2029
- 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 to 76 years
- All sexes
- Healthy volunteers accepted
- Adult, Older adult
Who may be able to join
- Diagnosis of stroke according to the Chinese Guidelines for the Prevention and Treatment of Cerebrovascular Diseases.
- Dysphagia confirmed by videofluoroscopic swallowing study (VFSS) or fiberoptic endoscopic evaluation of swallowing (FEES).
- Functional Oral Intake Scale (FOIS) score of 1-5.
- Stable vital signs.
- Time since stroke onset of at least 1 month.
- Age 18-76 years.
- No severe impairment of auditory comprehension and able to cooperate with study procedures.
- Written informed consent provided by the participant and/or family member, as applicable.
Who cannot join
- Other neurological or mental system disorders
- Severe sensory impairment.
- Severe cardiac, pulmonary, hepatic, or renal disease.
- History of seizures after stroke.
- Allergy in the relevant treatment area, or other contraindications to the study stimulation procedure.
Trial locations and contacts
No sites are listed yet. Contact the study team or a site near you to ask about taking part.
About this study
This randomized, double-blind, sham-controlled clinical trial will investigate the effects and potential neural mechanisms of pharyngeal air-pulse sensory stimulation in patients with post-stroke dysphagia. A total of 80 participants with swallowing impairment after stroke will be randomly assigned in a 1:1 ratio to either an active stimulation group or a sham stimulation group. Both groups will receive conventional swallowing rehabilitation, while the active group will additionally receive pharyngeal air-pulse sensory stimulation and the control group will receive sham stimulation for 2 weeks.
Swallowing function and neurophysiological changes will be assessed before and after the intervention. Assessments will include clinical swallowing evaluations, videofluoroscopic swallowing study, surface electromyography, resting-state and task-based functional magnetic resonance imaging, and diffusion kurtosis imaging. The study aims to determine whether pharyngeal air-pulse sensory stimulation can improve swallowing function and to explore associated changes in swallowing-related sensory-motor brain networks after stroke.
- Conditions
- Dysphagia
- Being tested
- Air-Pulse Sensory Stimulation, sham intervention
- Medical subject headings
- Deglutition Disorders
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
Air-Pulse Sensory StimulationDevice
Active pharyngeal air-pulse sensory stimulation is delivered using a pharyngeal air-pulse sensory stimulation device. The stimulation site is the anterior wall of the piriform sinus or the aryepiglottic fold. Air-pulse stimulation is delivered at a frequency of 48 pulses per minute, with 1 minute of stimulation alternating with 1 minute of rest, for a total session duration of 20 minutes and approximately 480 air pulses per session.
sham interventionDevice
Sham pharyngeal air-pulse sensory stimulation is delivered using the same device. The catheter insertion procedure, placement method, and duration are kept consistent with those used in the active stimulation group to maintain blinding.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Active Pharyngeal Air-Pulse Sensory Stimulation | Experimental | Not described Receives: Device: Air-Pulse Sensory Stimulation |
| Sham Pharyngeal Air-Pulse Sensory Stimulation | Sham comparator | Not described Receives: Device: sham intervention |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
The Functional Oral Intake Scale (FOIS)
The Functional Oral Intake Scale (FOIS) is a 7-point ordinal scale used to assess the functional level of oral food and liquid intake. Scores range from 1 (nothing by mouth) to 7 (total oral diet with no restrictions). Higher scores indicate better funct
Measured: Baseline and immediately after completion of the 2-week intervention
Secondary outcomes (2)
Penetration-Aspiration Scale (PAS) Score
The Penetration-Aspiration Scale (PAS) is an 8-point ordinal scale used to assess the severity of airway invasion during swallowing. Scores range from 1 to 8, with a score of 1 indicating that material does not enter the airway and a score of 8 indicating that material passes below the vocal folds with no attempt to eject it. Higher scores indicate greater severity of penetration or aspiration.
Measured: Baseline and immediately after completion of the 2-week intervention
Dysphagia Outcome and Severity Scale (DOSS) Score
The Dysphagia Outcome and Severity Scale (DOSS) is a 7-point ordinal scale used to assess the functional severity of dysphagia and the level of dietary restriction and assistance required. Scores range from 1 to 7, with a score of 1 indicating severe dysphagia with inability to safely tolerate oral intake and a score of 7 indicating normal swallowing with a regular diet and no need for compensatory strategies or additional time. Higher scores indicate better swallowing function and lower severity of dysphagia.
Measured: Baseline and immediately after completion of the 2-week intervention
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted24 Aug 2026
- Study start1 Aug 2026 (estimated)
- Primary completion31 Dec 2029 (estimated)
- Study completion31 Dec 2029 (estimated)
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Publications (4)Papers the sponsor has linked to this study.
- Other trials for 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
- Masking
- Double blind
- Who is masked
- Participant, Outcomes assessor
- Enrolment
- 80 participants (estimated)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- First People's Hospital of Foshan
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Principal investigator, Zhiming Tang, First People's Hospital of Foshan
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07782424
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- FSYYY-EC-SOP-008-03.0-A08
- Status last verified
- Aug 2026
- First submitted
- 19 Aug 2026
- Last updated
- 24 Aug 2026
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- No
Publications
Clave P, Ortega O, Rofes L, Alvarez-Berdugo D, Tomsen N. Brain and Pharyngeal Responses Associated with Pharmacological Treatments for Oropharyngeal Dysphagia in Older Patients. Dysphagia. 2023 Dec;38(6):1449-1466. doi: 10.1007/s00455-023-10578-x. Epub 2023 May 5.
PubMed 37145201Theurer JA, Johnston JL, Fisher J, Darling S, Stevens RC, Taves D, Teasell R, Hachinski V, Martin RE. Proof-of-principle pilot study of oropharyngeal air-pulse application in individuals with dysphagia after hemispheric stroke. Arch Phys Med Rehabil. 2013 Jun;94(6):1088-94. doi: 10.1016/j.apmr.2012.11.033. Epub 2012 Dec 5.
PubMed 23219777Assoratgoon I, Shiraishi N, Tagaino R, Ogawa T, Sasaki K. Sensory neuromuscular electrical stimulation for dysphagia rehabilitation: A literature review. J Oral Rehabil. 2023 Feb;50(2):157-164. doi: 10.1111/joor.13391. Epub 2022 Nov 28.
PubMed 36357332Zhang M, Li C, Zhang F, Han X, Yang Q, Lin T, Zhou H, Tang M, Zhou J, Shi H, Hui Y, Xiong M, Pang L, Wang B, Feng Z, Li Z, Cao C, Lu X, Ding Y, Shen S, Xu Z, Yu F, Chen C, Meng L, Liao G, Zhang J, Sasegbon A, Dou Z. Prevalence of Dysphagia in China: An Epidemiological Survey of 5943 Participants. Dysphagia. 2021 Jun;36(3):339-350. doi: 10.1007/s00455-020-10138-7. Epub 2020 May 26.
PubMed 32458145
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 24 Aug 2026. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Mechanisms of Air-pulse Pharyngeal Sensory Stimulation Regulation Post-stroke Swallowing Neural Network Remodeling Via TRPV4 Channel
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07782424
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- FSYYY-EC-SOP-008-03.0-A08
- Conditions
- Dysphagia
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Not yet recruiting
- Enrolment
- 80 participants (estimated)
- Lead sponsor
- First People's Hospital of FoshanUniversity, hospital or other
- Study start
- 1 Aug 2026 (estimated)
- Primary completion
- 31 Dec 2029 (estimated)
- Study completion
- 31 Dec 2029 (estimated)
- First posted
- 24 Aug 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 randomized, double-blind, sham-controlled clinical trial will investigate the effects and potential neural mechanisms of pharyngeal air-pulse sensory stimulation in patients with post-stroke dysphagia. A total of 80 participants with swallowing impairment after stroke will be randomly assigned in a 1:1 ratio to either an active stimulation group or a sham stimulation group. Both groups will receive conventional swallowing rehabilitation, while the active group will additionally receive pharyngeal air-pulse sensory stimulation and the control group will receive sham stimulation for 2 weeks.
Swallowing function and neurophysiological changes will be assessed before and after the intervention. Assessments will include clinical swallowing evaluations, videofluoroscopic swallowing study, surface electromyography, resting-state and task-based functional magnetic resonance imaging, and diffusion kurtosis imaging. The study aims to determine whether pharyngeal air-pulse sensory stimulation can improve swallowing function and to explore associated changes in swallowing-related sensory-motor brain networks after stroke.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- Double blind (participant, outcomes assessor)
- Number of arms
- 2
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Active Pharyngeal Air-Pulse Sensory Stimulation | Experimental | Device: Air-Pulse Sensory Stimulation |
| Sham Pharyngeal Air-Pulse Sensory Stimulation | Sham comparator | Device: sham intervention |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 18 to 76 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Accepted
- Age groups
- Adult, Older adult
Key inclusion criteria (8 listed)
- Diagnosis of stroke according to the Chinese Guidelines for the Prevention and Treatment of Cerebrovascular Diseases.
- Dysphagia confirmed by videofluoroscopic swallowing study (VFSS) or fiberoptic endoscopic evaluation of swallowing (FEES).
- Functional Oral Intake Scale (FOIS) score of 1-5.
- Stable vital signs.
- Time since stroke onset of at least 1 month.
Key exclusion criteria (5 listed)
- Other neurological or mental system disorders
- Severe sensory impairment.
- Severe cardiac, pulmonary, hepatic, or renal disease.
- History of seizures after stroke.
- Allergy in the relevant treatment area, or other contraindications to the study stimulation procedure.
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Air-Pulse Sensory StimulationActive pharyngeal air-pulse sensory stimulation is delivered using a pharyngeal air-pulse sensory stimulation device. The stimulation site is the anterior wall of the piriform sinus or the aryepiglottic fold. Air-pulse stimulation is delivered at a frequency of 48 pulses per minute, with 1 minute of stimulation alternating with 1 minute of rest, for a total session duration of 20 minutes and approximately 480 air pulses per session. | Device | Active Pharyngeal Air-Pulse Sensory Stimulation |
| sham interventionSham pharyngeal air-pulse sensory stimulation is delivered using the same device. The catheter insertion procedure, placement method, and duration are kept consistent with those used in the active stimulation group to maintain blinding. | Device | Sham Pharyngeal Air-Pulse Sensory Stimulation |
Primary outcome
The Functional Oral Intake Scale (FOIS)
Time frame: Baseline and immediately after completion of the 2-week intervention
The Functional Oral Intake Scale (FOIS) is a 7-point ordinal scale used to assess the functional level of oral food and liquid intake. Scores range from 1 (nothing by mouth) to 7 (total oral diet with no restrictions). Higher scores indicate better funct
2 secondary outcomes
Penetration-Aspiration Scale (PAS) Score
Time frame: Baseline and immediately after completion of the 2-week intervention
Dysphagia Outcome and Severity Scale (DOSS) Score
Time frame: Baseline and immediately after completion of the 2-week intervention
Results and safety
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 24 Aug 2026.
- Background: PubMed 37145201Clave P, Ortega O, Rofes L, Alvarez-Berdugo D, Tomsen N. Brain and Pharyngeal Responses Associated with Pharmacological Treatments for Oropharyngeal Dysphagia in Older Patients. Dysphagia. 2023 Dec;38(6):1449-1466. doi: 10.1007/s00455-023-10578-x. Epub 2023 May 5.
- Background: PubMed 23219777Theurer JA, Johnston JL, Fisher J, Darling S, Stevens RC, Taves D, Teasell R, Hachinski V, Martin RE. Proof-of-principle pilot study of oropharyngeal air-pulse application in individuals with dysphagia after hemispheric stroke. Arch Phys Med Rehabil. 2013 Jun;94(6):1088-94. doi: 10.1016/j.apmr.2012.11.033. Epub 2012 Dec 5.
- Background: PubMed 36357332Assoratgoon I, Shiraishi N, Tagaino R, Ogawa T, Sasaki K. Sensory neuromuscular electrical stimulation for dysphagia rehabilitation: A literature review. J Oral Rehabil. 2023 Feb;50(2):157-164. doi: 10.1111/joor.13391. Epub 2022 Nov 28.
- Background: PubMed 32458145Zhang M, Li C, Zhang F, Han X, Yang Q, Lin T, Zhou H, Tang M, Zhou J, Shi H, Hui Y, Xiong M, Pang L, Wang B, Feng Z, Li Z, Cao C, Lu X, Ding Y, Shen S, Xu Z, Yu F, Chen C, Meng L, Liao G, Zhang J, Sasegbon A, Dou Z. Prevalence of Dysphagia in China: An Epidemiological Survey of 5943 Participants. Dysphagia. 2021 Jun;36(3):339-350. doi: 10.1007/s00455-020-10138-7. Epub 2020 May 26.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: No
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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.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A study testing Air-Pulse Sensory Stimulation in people with Dysphagia, run by First People's Hospital of Foshan.
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 8 inclusion and 5 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: opening soon, as of the sponsor's last update on 24 Aug 2026. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.
What are the possible benefits and risks?
They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. Some participants in this study may receive a placebo. 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 Zhiming Tang (+86-0757-83161805, 104237506@qq.com), or a site near the patient. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
The Functional Oral Intake Scale (FOIS) (time frame: Baseline and immediately after completion of the 2-week intervention). It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.
Where can I read the original study information?
On the ClinicalTrials.gov record for NCT07782424, which also lists 4 linked publications.
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 Aug 2026.