Dysphagia is common in patients with dementia. Dysphagia occurs as a result of changes in the sensory and motor function of the swallow (Easterling, 2007). It is known that the central nervous system can undergo experience-dependent plasticity, even in those individuals with dementia (Park & Bischof, 2013). The purpose of this study was to explore whether or not the use of neuroplastic principles would improve the swallow motor plan and produce positive outcomes of a patient in severe cognitive decline. The disordered swallow motor plan was manipulated by focusing on a neuroplastic principles of frequency (repetition), velocity of movement (speed of presentation), reversibility (Use it or Lose it), specificity and adaptation, intensity (bolus size), and salience (Crary & Carnaby-Mann, 2008). After five therapeutic sessions, the patient progressed from holding solids in her mouth with decreased swallow initiation to independently consuming a regular diet with full range of liquids with no oral retention and no verbal cues.
