Leading the way in stroke research

UHD’s Stroke Research Team

University Hospitals Dorset’s (UHD) Stroke Research Team is the UK’s leading recruiter for a national clinical study to support patients recovering from stroke.

In a ground-breaking new trial, led by experts from the University of Nottingham, the team at the Royal Bournemouth Hospital is assessing whether Pharyngeal Electrical Stimulation (PES) can help people to recover the ability to swallow again following a stroke.

Swallowing problems (dysphagia) affect at least 50 per cent of patients following a stroke, many of whom still have abnormal swallowing a year later.

Swallowing problems often lead to chest infections, poor nutrition, and long hospital stays.

At present, there are no proven treatments for dysphagia after stroke.

The PhEAST (Pharyngeal Electrical Stimulation for Acute Stroke dysphagia Trial) trial is a randomised controlled trial that aims to establish if PES can help stroke patients with dysphagia re-train their brain to swallow safely again.

If patients are suitable and meet the study criteria, this will be discussed with them and their families. Other benefits include reducing hospital lengths of stay, decreasing dependence, and improving overall quality of life for patients.

Deborah Broadbent is a Clinical Specialist Speech and Language Therapist at UHD, and the Principal Investigator for the trial.

She said: “We have recruited 50 people to the PhEAST study and have met our target. This also makes us the highest recruiting site for this study which has so far recruited 419 patients across 33 sites. We plan to continue to recruit as the study has another year to go.

"Our involvement in PhEAST is very much a team effort. The Speech and Language Therapy Team is extremely motivated and are involved in identifying, consenting, and providing treatment to patients we recruit. We have fantastic support from our ward nurses and doctors as well as the research team.

“It is great for the speech and language therapists to be involved in stroke research and really helps our learning as well as our profile.

“It is also a positive opportunity for me as a therapist to be the Principal Investigator for this study, and I am grateful for this experience and the chance to be involved in current research which may impact future management of people who have dysphagia following stroke.”