SCIENTIFIC HUB

Follow the evidence.

SCIENTIFIC LITERATURE · MED

Developing a core outcome set for dysphagia interventions in Parkinson's disease: an international Delphi consensus study.

BMJ Evid Based Med · 2026-03-20

DOI: 10.1136/bmjebm-2024-113543PMID: 40312059

Check source for accessJournal ArticleOriginal source ↗

Research overview

The text below is the source article’s original abstract under a verified reuse license. cc by

ObjectivesTo develop a core outcome set (COS) for oropharyngeal dysphagia (swallowing disorder) interventions in Parkinson's disease by agreeing core outcomes and definitions, outcome measurement instruments (OMIs) and time points of measurement for these core outcomes.DesignInternational online Delphi survey and consensus meetings.ParticipantsIndividuals living with oropharyngeal dysphagia and Parkinson's disease, family members and caregivers, healthcare professionals and researchers in the field of oropharyngeal dysphagia and Parkinson's disease.MethodsA long list of outcomes was generated previously through scoping reviews, online surveys and focus groups with key stakeholders. Building on this, an international three-round online Delphi survey was conducted where participants rated the importance of outcomes. In subsequent online consensus meetings, core outcomes, their definitions, OMIs and time points of measurement were agreed on.Results90 participants from 21 countries completed all three rounds of the Delphi survey. Of these, 35 participated in a consensus meeting. Six outcomes were agreed as the core outcomes: 'penetration/aspiration', 'aspiration pneumonia', 'choking', 'oropharyngeal dysphagia severity', 'swallowing related quality of life' and 'post swallow pharyngeal residue'.ConclusionsThe use of a COS in future oropharyngeal dysphagia intervention studies in Parkinson's disease will facilitate comparative effectiveness research and ensure that outcomes are relevant to all key stakeholders. This should help improve the evidence base for oropharyngeal dysphagia interventions in Parkinson's disease.RegistrationThe study was registered prospectively with the Core Outcome Measures in Effectiveness Trials Database on 24 September 2021 (www.comet-initiative.org, registration number: 1942).

Scientific assessment

01

Research question

Assess the question within the original study’s scope.

02

Methods & sample

Check the source article for study design and sample details.

03

Key findings

An editorially approved findings summary is not yet published for this record.

04

Limitations

Generalizability, bias and clinical meaning require separate assessment.

Methods, samples and clinical conclusions are not inferred from bibliographic metadata.