Recognising and responding to communication and swallowing difficulties in Parkinson's disease
Related Experiment Video
Updated: Sep 28, 2025

Adapting Human Videofluoroscopic Swallow Study Methods to Detect and Characterize Dysphagia in Murine Disease Models
Published on: March 1, 2015
Sally Ireland1, Vincent Carroll2, Denise Blanchard3
1BAppliedSci (Speech Pathology), Certified Practising Speech Pathologist, Private Practice, Valla Beach, NSW.
Background:
Communication difficulties, including hypokinetic dysarthria and swallowing difficulties (dysphagia), affect a large percentage of people diagnosed with Parkinson's disease. Onset of these symptoms has been identified in up to 78% of people with early-stage Parkinson's disease. Communication difficulties are frequently disregarded until they have a significant impact on quality of life, while the person may often be unaware of indicators of dysphagia and the associated risk of aspiration pneumonia.
Objective:
The aim of this article is to increase awareness of the importance of identifying and addressing the communication and swallowing difficulties experienced by people living with Parkinson's disease.
Discussion:
Early identification, regular review and monitoring enable the clinician to support the implementation of evidence-based, effective interventions. Collaboration with the multidisciplinary team, including speech pathology, is needed to enable the person to live well with Parkinson's disease and to prevent aspiration pneumonia, a leading cause of death in Parkinson's disease. A vignette prepared in collaboration with a person living with Parkinson's disease and his wife provides an 'insider perspective' of the pervasive impact of difficulties with communication and swallowing.
Related Concept Videos
Parkinson's Disease: Treatment
Parkinson's Disease is primarily a result of the loss of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra pars compacta. The cornerstone of...
Parkinson's Disease: Overview
Neural Regulation
Assessment of Airway, Skin Color, and Use of Accessory Muscles
Introduction
The initial evaluation of a patient's respiratory system...
Role of Communication in the Nursing Process I: Assessment and Diagnosis
The nursing process considers the patient's emotional and physical well-being. The process can be repeated or stopped at any point if judged essential. Assessment is the first step in the nursing...
Taste Buds and Receptors

