“…Although PD is classically defined by the presence of general motor symptoms that include resting tremor, bradykinesia, rigidity, and postural instability, cranial motor deficits in the form of a hypokinetic dysarthria and dysphagia are reported to occur in 90% of PD patients (Sapir, Ramig, & Fox, 2008). These impairments have been documented to be associated with significant reductions in quality of life, social interactions and mental well-being (Plowman-Prine, Sapienza, et al, 2009). Alarmingly, aspiration pneumonia constitutes the leading cause of death in PD, resulting in a life expectancy ten years below the general population (Hely, Reid, Adena, Halliday, & Morris, 2008).…”