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Changes in Sensitivity, Taste and Smell in Stroke Patients

Recruiting
Conditions
Dysphagia
Stroke
Interventions
Other: Sensitivity threshold
Diagnostic Test: FEES (flexible endoscopic evaluation of swallowing)
Diagnostic Test: Taste-/smell-test
Diagnostic Test: Neuropsychological testing
Registration Number
NCT03240965
Lead Sponsor
University of Giessen
Brief Summary

This study evaluates changes in swallowing using endoscopic swallowing studies and measuring of pharyngeal sensitivity, taste and smell in stroke patients. Younger (\<60 years) and older (\>60 years) volunteers will serve as control.

Detailed Description

Stroke is the second leading cause of death. At least 50% of stroke patients develop dysphagia, leading to aspiration pneumonia, which is the main cause of death in stroke \[2\].

It is assumed that normal sensitivity is vital for aspiration-free swallowing and for the triggering of the swallowing reflex.

Ali et al. demonstrated aspiration-free swallowing in healthy volunteers who underwent local anaesthesia of oral and pharyngeal structures \[1\]. Power et al. showed a reduced sensitivity of pharyngeal structures in stroke patients prone to aspiration \[3\].

By combining measuring sensitivity and flexible endoscopic swallowing studies, this study further investigates the role of sensitivity in swallowing Neuropsychological deficits of swallowing, such as swallowing apraxia or buccal hemineglect, is assessed by neuropsychological testing.

Additionally, there is no systematic research investigating the change in smell and taste in correlation with changes in stroke patients

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
RECRUITING
Sex
All
Target Recruitment
200
Inclusion Criteria

Volunteers:

  • informed consent

Stroke patients:

  • informed consent
  • new supratentorial stroke (<72 hours old) confirmed by CT (computed tomography) or MRI (magnetic resonance imaging)
Exclusion Criteria
  • pre-existing stroke oder dysphagia
  • extensive white matter lesions in CT- or MRI-scan
  • allergies to odorous substances or flavoring
  • contraindications for FEES (flexible endoscopic evaluation of swallowing), CT or MRI (stroke patients only)

Study & Design

Study Type
OBSERVATIONAL
Study Design
Not specified
Arm && Interventions
GroupInterventionDescription
Stroke patientsTaste-/smell-testStroke patients with supratentorial stroke, who are able to consent to participation in the study.
Stroke patientsNeuropsychological testingStroke patients with supratentorial stroke, who are able to consent to participation in the study.
Volunteers <60 yearsTaste-/smell-testVolunteers, who are able to consent to participation in the study, as control.
Volunteers >60 yearsSensitivity thresholdVolunteers, who are able to consent to participation in the study, as control.
Stroke patientsSensitivity thresholdStroke patients with supratentorial stroke, who are able to consent to participation in the study.
Volunteers >60 yearsTaste-/smell-testVolunteers, who are able to consent to participation in the study, as control.
Volunteers <60 yearsSensitivity thresholdVolunteers, who are able to consent to participation in the study, as control.
Stroke patientsFEES (flexible endoscopic evaluation of swallowing)Stroke patients with supratentorial stroke, who are able to consent to participation in the study.
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Dysphagia96 hours after initial symptoms

Changes found in endoscopic swallowing study :

Presence and severity of dysphagia (measured with Rosenbek's Penetration/Aspiration-scale)

Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Neuropsychological deficits96 hours after initial symptoms

Agnosia, neglect

Lesion site96 hours after initial symptoms

Side, vascular territory, swallowing relevant structures

Taste/Smell96 hours after initial symptoms

Smell-/Taste-score

Sensitivity96 hours after initial symptoms

Sensitivity of faucial pillar region

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

Universitätsklinikum Gießen

🇩🇪

Gießen, Hessen, Germany

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