The Essentials: Dysphagia and Parkinson's Disease

Video Runtime: 32 Minutes, Learning Assessments: 12 Minutes

Dysphagia is a symptom, not a disease unto itself. Difficulty swallowing can be a symptom of a wide variety of medical diagnoses. The underlying diagnosis is a critical factor to consider when developing a treatment approach. Dysphagia clinicians must guard against a “one-size-fits-all” approach and instead develop an understanding of the causative factors and pathophysiology of swallowing disorders in each disease process.

This course will discuss dysphagia in the setting of Parkinson’s disease (PD). The characteristics of dysphagia in PD, including the role of dopamine in feeding and swallowing, will be reviewed. Specific considerations for assessment of patients with PD will be discussed, including breathing/swallow coordination, potential for cough, and aspiration risk factors. The evidence base for treatment strategies specific to PD will be examined, with focus on respiratory training and sensory enhancements. The role of exercise and specific skill training in management of PD will be also be discussed. Participants will be provided with an opportunity for problem-solving through case review.

This course is appropriate for dysphagia clinicians working in medical settings, including acute care, outpatient rehabilitation, inpatient rehabilitation, and long-term care.