Deep Brain Stimulation in Swallowing Disorders in Individuals With Parkinson's Disease: A Narrative Review

ABSTRACT Parkinson's disease (PD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder characterized by both motor and non‐motor symptoms, with dysphagia being one of the most frequent and debilitating complications in advanced stages. Deep brain stimulation (DBS), widely used to alleviate motor symptoms in PD, has recently drawn attention for its potential effects on swallowing mechanisms. This narrative review synthesizes the available evidence regarding the relationship between DBS and dysphagia in individuals with PD. The findings indicate that DBS may improve swallowing reflex initiation, coordination of the pharyngeal phase, and reduce aspiration risk; however, inconsistent outcomes have also been reported, including symptom worsening or no significant changes in swallowing function. The variability in results may be attributed to differences in stimulation parameters, target areas, assessment methods, and individual characteristics. Despite the promising therapeutic potential of DBS, current evidence remains inconclusive due to small sample sizes, methodological heterogeneity, and short follow‐up durations. Future research should involve larger, well‐designed studies with standardized assessment protocols to clarify the long‐term efficacy of DBS for dysphagia in PD and to optimize individualized treatment strategies that may include combined rehabilitation approaches.