Perceived changes to swallowing in people with Parkinson's: a comparison with clinical measures, people without Parkinsons and perceptions of carers

Abstract

Purpose: We describe the relationship between perceived swallowing difficulties in people with Parkinsons and disease specific measures, carers perceptions of swallowing problems and responses of control participants.

Method: 119 people with Parkinsons, their carers and matched controls answered a specifically prepared functional swallowing changes questionnaire. People with Parkinsons completed a water swallow test (WST). Motor status, cognition and mood were assessed.

Results: People with Parkinsons scored poorer than controls (p=