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Effects of CTAR and PNF Exercises on Swallowing in Multiple Sclerosis (CTAR-PNF-MS)

21. Juli 2026 aktualisiert von: Hakan Polat, Sanko University

Effects of Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation and Chin Tuck Against Resistance Exercises on Swallowing Function in Patients With Multiple Sclerosis and Dysphagia: A Randomized Controlled Trial

This study compares two exercise programs for people with multiple sclerosis (MS) who have trouble swallowing. One group did chin exercises against resistance (CTAR), and the other group did neck exercises based on a technique called proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF). Both groups also received a sensory technique to help trigger swallowing.

The study tested whether these exercises could improve swallowing ability, swallowing speed, and quality of life related to eating and drinking. Participants were randomly assigned to one of the two exercise groups and were treated for 8 weeks, three times per week. Swallowing was assessed before and after treatment using validated questionnaires and a water-swallow test.

Studienübersicht

Detaillierte Beschreibung

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic, immune-mediated disease of the central nervous system that frequently causes dysphagia (swallowing difficulty), which can lead to aspiration pneumonia and reduced quality of life. Exercise-based interventions targeting the suprahyoid and infrahyoid muscles are commonly used in dysphagia rehabilitation, but comparative evidence between Chin Tuck Against Resistance (CTAR) exercises and cervical Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation (PNF) exercises in MS patients is lacking.

This randomized, controlled, single-blind (outcome assessor blinded) trial enrolled adults aged 18-65 with a confirmed diagnosis of MS (per 2017 McDonald criteria), a DYMUS score ≥1, and no relapse in the preceding 6 months. Participants were allocated 1:1 to either the CTAR group or the PNF group using a computer-generated randomization sequence (minimization method, balanced for sex and disease course), with allocation concealed via sequentially numbered, sealed, opaque envelopes.

Both groups received Thermal-Tactile Stimulation (TTS) as a shared baseline treatment. The CTAR group performed isometric chin-tuck exercises against a resistance ball (2-3 sets x 8-12 repetitions per session). The PNF group performed cervical combined isotonic contraction techniques using diagonal movement patterns (30 repetitions per session). Both groups trained 3 sessions per week for 8 weeks (24 sessions total), with total session duration equalized between groups (approximately 30 minutes, including rest periods and TTS).

The primary outcome was change in DYMUS total score from baseline to week 8. Secondary outcomes included the Eating Assessment Tool (EAT-10), 100 mL Water Swallow Test parameters (swallowing duration, speed, and volume), the Functional Oral Intake Scale (FOIS), and the Swallowing Quality of Life Questionnaire (SWAL-QOL). Adverse events related to exercise (pain, fatigue, choking sensation) were systematically monitored at each session

Studientyp

Interventionell

Einschreibung (Tatsächlich)

39

Phase

  • Unzutreffend

Kontakte und Standorte

Dieser Abschnitt enthält die Kontaktdaten derjenigen, die die Studie durchführen, und Informationen darüber, wo diese Studie durchgeführt wird.

Studienorte

Teilnahmekriterien

Forscher suchen nach Personen, die einer bestimmten Beschreibung entsprechen, die als Auswahlkriterien bezeichnet werden. Einige Beispiele für diese Kriterien sind der allgemeine Gesundheitszustand einer Person oder frühere Behandlungen.

Zulassungskriterien

Studienberechtigtes Alter

  • Erwachsene
  • Älterer Erwachsener

Akzeptiert gesunde Freiwillige

Nein

Beschreibung

Inclusion Criteria:

  • - Confirmed diagnosis of multiple sclerosis according to the 2017 McDonald criteria
  • DYMUS (Dysphagia in Multiple Sclerosis) questionnaire score ≥1
  • Age between 18 and 65 years
  • No relapse within the preceding 6 months

Exclusion Criteria:

  • - Pregnancy or breastfeeding
  • Presence of another neurological disease that could cause dysphagia
  • Presence of pneumonia
  • History of head-neck surgery or head-neck cancer
  • Persistent neck pain and/or radiculopathy
  • Inadequate head control
  • Inability to understand or follow verbal commands

Studienplan

Dieser Abschnitt enthält Einzelheiten zum Studienplan, einschließlich des Studiendesigns und der Messung der Studieninhalte.

Wie ist die Studie aufgebaut?

Designdetails

  • Hauptzweck: Behandlung
  • Zuteilung: Zufällig
  • Interventionsmodell: Parallele Zuordnung
  • Maskierung: Single

Waffen und Interventionen

Teilnehmergruppe / Arm
Intervention / Behandlung
Experimental: CTAR Group
Participants received Chin Tuck Against Resistance (CTAR) exercises combined with thermal-tactile stimulation, 3 sessions/week for 8 weeks.
Participants performed isometric chin-tuck exercises against resistance using a ball positioned under the chin. Each session consisted of 2-3 sets of 8-12 repetitions, with each isometric contraction sustained for 5-10 seconds and 30-60 seconds of rest between sets. Sessions were conducted 3 times per week for 8 weeks (24 sessions total), supervised by a physiotherapist certified in swallowing rehabilitation.
Experimental: PNF Group
Participants received cervical Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation (PNF) exercises combined with thermal-tactile stimulation, 3 sessions/week for 8 weeks.
Participants received cervical proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation using a combined isotonic contraction technique with diagonal movement patterns. Each repetition involved movement from an extension-left rotation position to a flexion-right rotation position against manual resistance, followed by a 6-second isometric hold and controlled eccentric return; the pattern was also performed in reverse diagonal direction. A total of 30 repetitions were completed per session without rest between repetitions. Sessions were conducted 3 times per week for 8 weeks (24 sessions total), supervised by a physiotherapist certified in swallowing

Was misst die Studie?

Primäre Ergebnismessungen

Ergebnis Maßnahme
Maßnahmenbeschreibung
Zeitfenster
Change in DYMUS (Dysphagia in Multiple Sclerosis Questionnaire) Total Score
Zeitfenster: Baseline and week 8 (post-treatment)
The DYMUS is a 10-item self-report questionnaire assessing oropharyngeal dysphagia in multiple sclerosis patients, scored 0 (no) to 1 (yes) per item, yielding a total score range of 0-10. Higher scores indicate greater dysphagia severity. A score ≥3 indicates severe swallowing difficulty.
Baseline and week 8 (post-treatment)

Sekundäre Ergebnismessungen

Ergebnis Maßnahme
Maßnahmenbeschreibung
Zeitfenster
Change in EAT-10 (Eating Assessment Tool-10) Score
Zeitfenster: Baseline and week 8
A 10-item self-report questionnaire assessing dysphagia symptom severity, each item scored 0 (no problem) to 4 (severe problem), total score range 0-40. Higher scores indicate greater
Baseline and week 8
Change in FOIS (Functional Oral Intake Scale) Level
Zeitfenster: Baseline and week 8
A 7-point ordinal scale classifying functional oral intake ability; levels 1-3 represent tube dependency, levels 4-7 represent oral intake. Higher levels indicate better oral intake
Baseline and week 8
Change in SWAL-QOL (Swallowing Quality of Life) Score
Zeitfenster: Baseline and week 8
A patient-reported outcome measure assessing dysphagia-related quality of life across 11 subdomains, scored 0-100
Baseline and week 8
Change in 100 mL Water Swallow Test Parameters (Swallowing Speed, Volume per Swallow, Duration)
Zeitfenster: Baseline and week 8
An objective clinical test measuring swallowing speed (mL/sec), volume per swallow (mL), and total swallowing duration (sec) during ingest
Baseline and week 8

Mitarbeiter und Ermittler

Hier finden Sie Personen und Organisationen, die an dieser Studie beteiligt sind.

Studienaufzeichnungsdaten

Diese Daten verfolgen den Fortschritt der Übermittlung von Studienaufzeichnungen und zusammenfassenden Ergebnissen an ClinicalTrials.gov. Studienaufzeichnungen und gemeldete Ergebnisse werden von der National Library of Medicine (NLM) überprüft, um sicherzustellen, dass sie bestimmten Qualitätskontrollstandards entsprechen, bevor sie auf der öffentlichen Website veröffentlicht werden.

Haupttermine studieren

Studienbeginn (Tatsächlich)

1. November 2025

Primärer Abschluss (Tatsächlich)

1. April 2026

Studienabschluss (Tatsächlich)

1. Mai 2026

Studienanmeldedaten

Zuerst eingereicht

16. Juli 2026

Zuerst eingereicht, das die QC-Kriterien erfüllt hat

21. Juli 2026

Zuerst gepostet (Tatsächlich)

24. Juli 2026

Studienaufzeichnungsaktualisierungen

Letztes Update gepostet (Tatsächlich)

24. Juli 2026

Letztes eingereichtes Update, das die QC-Kriterien erfüllt

21. Juli 2026

Zuletzt verifiziert

1. Juli 2026

Mehr Informationen

Begriffe im Zusammenhang mit dieser Studie

Plan für individuelle Teilnehmerdaten (IPD)

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NEIN

Arzneimittel- und Geräteinformationen, Studienunterlagen

Studiert ein von der US-amerikanischen FDA reguliertes Arzneimittelprodukt

Nein

Studiert ein von der US-amerikanischen FDA reguliertes Geräteprodukt

Nein

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