Medically unexplained dysphagia

• Research type

  Research Study

• Full title

  What are the characteristics and impact of medically unexplained swallowing difficulties?

• IRAS ID

  343654

• Contact name

  Sophie Harkness

• Contact email

  sophie.harkness@postgrad.manchester.ac.uk

• Sponsor organisation

  University of Manchester

• Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier

  N/A, N/A

• Duration of Study in the UK

  2 years, 0 months, 0 days

• Research summary

  Medically unexplained dysphagia describes swallowing difficulties without organic disease and normal instrumental assessment findings. Medically unexplained dysphagia has previously been seen as somatic in nature, yet laryngeal hypersensitivity has been proposed as one hypothesis. Our current understanding of the characteristics, identification process, lived experience and impact is limited. This has potentially led to poor clinician confidence in managing symptoms and poor patient quality of care (Chalmers et al, 2023).

  This NIHR funded study will:

  (A)
  Use qualitative semi-structured interviews with a maximum of 15 patients and 15 healthcare professionals to:

  i. Explore lived experience, characteristics of symptoms, and impact on physical, social, and psychological wellbeing
  ii. Explore experience and perspective on characteristics, terminology, assessment, management, and training
  iii. Explore insights into complex interactions between symptoms, cognitions, moods, and health behaviours

  AND

  (B)
  Use Participatory Action Research (PAR) focus groups with a maximum of 10 patients and 10 clinicians to co-design an assessment framework.

  The researcher will recruit dysphagia patient (DP) participants from clinical teams across Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust and healthcare professional (HCP) participants from NHS clinical teams, clinical excellence networks, and professional forums.

  Participants recruited to Study A will take part in a 1 hour 1:1 interview which will be audio recorded. The analysis will focus on the views of the participants and their experiences. The findings of Study A will be provided to participants to use in Study B.

  Participants recruited to Study B will take part in a total of 3 hours of research activity, including 2 x 1 hour focus groups (which will be audio recorded), and 1 hour of off-line written or verbal feedback. Data analysis will focus on the development of the assessment framework.

  Improved identification processes and improved understanding this this condition may lead to improved education, clinical recommendations, and wider healthcare impacts on healthcare utilization.
  

• REC name

  North West - Liverpool Central Research Ethics Committee

• REC reference

  26/NW/0086

• Date of REC Opinion

  25 May 2026

• REC opinion

  Further Information Favourable Opinion