Wearable sensors for monitoring neurogenic dysphagia: a scoping review

Clinical Snapshot

Key Findings

• Effect Size: Not quantified - qualitative synthesis only

• Primary Outcome: Multimodal wearable sensor approaches provided more accurate dysphagia assessment than single-sensor systems

• Nnt Or Sensitivity: Validation with gold-standard methods performed in only 50% of included studies

• Confidence Interval: Not applicable for scoping review

Clinical Application

Promising for remote monitoring but requires standardisation of protocols and validation before clinical implementation Relevant for Australian stroke and Parkinson's disease management pathways; could complement RACGP chronic disease management plans and reduce healthcare facility burden Patients with neurological disorders experiencing dysphagia, particularly those requiring long-term monitoring outside clinical facilities

Abstract

Neurological disorders, such as Parkinson's disease and stroke, often lead to neurogenic dysphagia, a swallowing disorder that compromises nutrition and increases the risk of malnutrition, aspiration of food, and even death. Although instrumental assessments remain the gold standard for evaluating swallowing function, their invasiveness, cost, and reliance on specialized clinical facilities limit their routine use. A systematic search was conducted in PubMed, Scopus, IEEE Xplore, and Web of Science, including only peer-reviewed studies using non-invasive wearable devices for assessing and monitoring dysphagia in neurological disorders. The initial search identified 1669 records, and an updated search retrieved 128 additional records. After screening, 24 studies met the inclusion criteria. Accelerometers and surface electromyography sensors were the most frequently used, either alone or in multimodal configurations. Multimodal approaches generally provided more accurate and comprehensive assessments than single-sensor systems. However, validation with gold-standard methods was performed in only half of the studies, and considerable heterogeneity was observed in sensor placement, study protocols, and signal-processing strategies. Wearable sensing technologies represent a non-invasive and scalable solution for assessing neurogenic dysphagia. To enable clinical translation, future research should focus on standardized methodologies, robust validation, and the integration of artificial intelligence for more precise swallowing assessment in individuals with neurological disorders.

References

1. 1.Gasperini, D., Pierotti, F., Privitera, L., Steele, C. M., & Bandini, A. (2026). Wearable sensors for monitoring neurogenic dysphagia: a scoping review. Progress in Biomedical Engineering, ae6d5d. https://doi.org/10.1088/2516-1091/ae6d5d