Update on Exercise-Based Rehabilitation Approaches for Neurogenic Dysphagia

Purpose of Review This article provides clinicians and researchers with a summary of recent research over the past 5 years for exercise-based rehabilitation for neurogenic dysphagia. Research that utilized rehabilitation paradigms in the neurogenic population is emphasized. Recent Findings Numerous studies utilizing exercise-based rehabilitation in both non-neurogenic and neurogenic populations provide positive findings following treatment. Recruitment criteria and outcome measures were variable across studies and generally focused on signs and symptoms of dysphagia rather than underlying swallowing impairment. Dosing regimens frequently varied across exercises and studies. Summary Recent research in exercise-based dysphagia rehabilitation has added valuable information to the field. The differences across studies regarding recruitment criteria, outcome measures, and dosing, however, make it difficult to synthesize results. Future research should focus on underlying swallowing impairment for recruitment criteria and outcome measures as well as developing optimal dosing and maintenance programs. Improvement in these areas would increase robustness of results and facilitate improved translation of research findings to clinical practice.