The Feasibility and Acceptability of using a Novel Wrist Worn Cueing Device to Self-Manage Drooling Problems in People with Parkinson’s Disease: a Pilot Study

Introduction: Daytime drooling is experienced by around 50% of Parkinson’s patients, who fail to swallow saliva in sufficient volume or regularity, despite normal production. This research explored the feasibility and acceptability of using a cueing device, to improve drooling.
Methods: During a 4-week intervention, 28 participants were asked to use a cueing device for one hour per day. During this time, the device vibrated once-per-minute, reminding the participant to swallow their saliva. A daily diary was used to collect self-report around swallowing severity, frequency and duration. This was filled out by participants for 1 week before, 4 weeks during, and for 1 week immediately after intervention. Diaries were also collected for 1 week during a follow up, carried out 4 weeks after intervention finished.
Results: Participants self-reported benefits in drooling severity (p=0.031), frequency (p=<0.001), and duration (p=0.001) after using the device. Improvements were maintained at follow up. Twenty-two participants explicitly reported a positive benefit to their drooling during exit interview. All felt the intervention and device were acceptable and usable.
Conclusions: Using a cueing device for 1 month had perceived benefit to drooling severity, frequency and duration in patients with Parkinson’s. Participants accepted the device and treatment protocol.