Collecting long-term data about swallowing in MND

Collecting data about swallowing over time

People living with MND can develop swallowing problems over time. These changes are usually checked during hospital visits, but symptoms can vary between appointments, meaning important changes may go unnoticed. The researchers have developed a small, portable scientific device that records body signals involved in swallowing, such as muscle activity and sound. They would like people living with MND to use the device at home to record short 10-minute sessions two to three times a week, to allow them to collect long-term data on how swallowing changes over time. The researchers will also collect data from a more advanced device once a month, to provide more detailed information.

The data collected will be used to build a digital twin system. This is a computer model that learns to recognise and predict changes in swallowing directly from the bio signals. The researchers hope to use this to create a tool that gives early warning when swallowing starts to worsen, helping people with MND receive more personalised, proactive care between clinical appointments.

How will this study help people with and affected by MND now and/or in the future?

The researchers hope that by collecting and analysing swallowing-related data, they will be able to build a predictive computer model which can recognise early signs of swallowing difficulties before they become serious. This could help clinicians to monitor MND progression more closely and respond sooner.