ORAL USE OF AN IN-MOUTH WEARABLE DEVICE IN THE TREATMENT OF DYSPHAGIA

Abstract

Disclosed is a method for treating dysphagia comprising: fitting a patient afflicted with dysphagia with a TRP oral retainer-based device having an arch for limiting movement of the patient's tongue, the device to be worn by the patient at night starting at about bedtime and during sleep, preferably for at least 8 hours; providing instructions to the patient to wear the device nightly for a period of time from about 2 to about 18 months (the wearing period) as indicated; monitoring the patient's tongue pressure at one or more time points during the wearing period, wherein an increase in tongue strength, as measured for example by tongue pressure (TP) compared to baseline or compared to a prior monitoring time point during the wearing period, indicates that the patient receives a benefit from wearing the device. An increase in tongue strength has been shown to correlate closely with reducing oropharyngeal dysphagia and its attendant symptoms and pathologies.

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