Technology to remotely capture key elements of swallowing and speech: State of the science in Parkinson's disease.

Abstract

Swallowing and speech impairments are common in Parkinson's disease (PD) and can significantly affect health and quality of life. Traditional methods for assessing and managing these functions rely on in-person visits and large, expensive equipment, which are inaccessible to many patients. Recent advances in health technologies offer opportunities for remote monitoring and assessment, enabling early detection, personalized intervention, and longitudinal tracking of swallowing and speech deficits in PD. This review synthesizes evidence on current and emerging technologies designed to remotely capture key elements of swallowing and speech in patients with PD. We present studies that develop and use wearable uni- and multi-modal sensor-based approaches, biofeedback devices, acoustic analysis through smartphones, and haptic cueing aimed at improving aspects of swallowing and speech. Additionally, we examine the integration of artificial intelligence for automated signal processing and predictive modeling, emphasizing validation studies and clinical feasibility. Challenges related to usability, data quality, adherence, data security, and standardization are discussed alongside opportunities for telehealth-driven care models. By identifying technological innovations and evidence gaps, this review provides a roadmap for future research and clinical implementation of remote swallowing and speech assessment in PD. These advancements have the potential to transform care, reduce healthcare burden, and improve patient outcomes through scalable, non-invasive, and patient-centered solutions for the management of dysphagia and dysarthria in PD.Plain language summary titleTechnology to remotely measure important parts of swallowing and speech: The current scientific understanding in Parkinson's disease.