Brittany N. Krekeler , PHD,CCC-SLP

Dr. Krekeler's research laboratory focuses on developing novel behavioral and exercise-based interventions to improve swallowing ability and quality of life for individuals with dysphagia. 

PhD: University of Wisconsin-Madison Madison, WI, 2019 (Communication Sciences and Disorders)

MS : University of Wisconsin-Madison Madison, WI, 2015 (Communication Sciences and Disorders)

BS: Miami University Oxford, OH, 2013 (Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology)

Otolaryngology

Speech Pathology

Speech Pathology

Grant: #2020 NIRG Investigators:Krekeler, Brittany 10-04-2021 -12-31-2022 American Speech Language and Hearing Foundation Device Facilitated Lingual Strength and Skill: Comparison of Devices in Healthy Adults and Individuals with Stroke Role:PI 0.00 Awarded Level:Non Profit

Grant: #C-STAR 2022 (P2C HD101899) Investigators:Demel, Stacie; Krekeler, Brittany; Wahab, Shaun 10-01-2022 -09-30-2023 National Institute of Child Health and Human Development Feasibility and Efficacy Study of Device-Facilitated Lingual Endurance Exercise in treating Post-Stroke Dysphagia Role:PI 0.00 Hold Level:Federal

Grant: #PRO-ACTIVE Study Investigators:Krekeler, Brittany 07-26-2022 -04-30-2024 Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute PRO-ACTIVE: Comparing the Effectiveness of PROphylACTic swallow InterVEntion for patients receiving radiotherapy for head and neck cancer Role:PI 17999.99 Awarded Level:Non Profit

Grant: #K01HD111680 Investigators:Krekeler, Brittany 09-08-2023 -08-31-2028 National Institute of Child Health and Human Development Impact of Lingual Endurance Exercise on Rehabilitation of Swallowing Impairments after lschemic Stroke Role:PI 141548.00 Awarded Level:Federal

Grant: #R01AG077481 Investigators:Krekeler, Brittany 08-01-2023 -07-31-2027 University Health Network Establishing Reference Values and Clinical Decision Points for Quantitative Videofluoroscopic Measures of Swallowing Role:PI 31755.00 Hold Level:Non Profit

Grant: #1R21AG085152 - 01A1 Investigators:Altaye, Mekibib; Boyce, Suzanne; Howell, Rebecca; Krekeler, Brittany; Mast, T. Douglas; Wahab, Shaun 07-01-2024 -06-30-2026 National Institute on Aging Ultrasound for bedside characterization of swallowing biomechanical impairments and biofeedback Role:PI 432533.89 Hold Level:Federal

Peer Reviewed Publications

Krekeler, Brittany N; Yee, Joanne; Daggett, Sarah; Leverson, Glen; Rogus-Pulia, Nicole (2021. ) Lingual Exercise in Older Veterans With Dysphagia: A Pilot Investigation of Patient Adherence.Journal of speech, language, and hearing research : JSLHR, , 64 (5 ) ,1526-1538 More Information

Krekeler, Brittany N; Rowe, Linda M; Connor, Nadine P (2021. ) Dose in Exercise-Based Dysphagia Therapies: A Scoping Review.Dysphagia, , 36 (1 ) ,1-32 More Information

Krekeler, Brittany N; Weycker, Jacqueline M; Connor, Nadine P (2020. ) Effects of Tongue Exercise Frequency on Tongue Muscle Biology and Swallowing Physiology in a Rat Model.Dysphagia, , 35 (6 ) ,918-934 More Information

Krekeler, Brittany N; Vitale, Kailey; Yee, Joanne; Powell, Ryan; Rogus-Pulia, Nicole (2020. ) Adherence to Dysphagia Treatment Recommendations: A Conceptual Model.Journal of speech, language, and hearing research : JSLHR, , 63 (6 ) ,1641-1657 More Information

Cullins, Miranda J; Krekeler, Brittany N; Connor, Nadine P (2018. ) Differential impact of tongue exercise on intrinsic lingual muscles.The Laryngoscope, , 128 (10 ) ,2245-2251 More Information

Krekeler, Brittany N; Broadfoot, Courtney K; Johnson, Stephen; Connor, Nadine P; Rogus-Pulia, Nicole (2018. ) Correction to: Patient Adherence to Dysphagia Recommendations: A Systematic Review.Dysphagia, , 33 (4 ) ,589-591 More Information

Krekeler, Brittany N; Leverson, Glen; Connor, Nadine P (2018. ) Tongue exercise and ageing effects on morphological and biochemical properties of the posterior digastric and temporalis muscles in a Fischer 344 Brown Norway rat model.Archives of oral biology, , 89 ,37-43 More Information

Krekeler, Brittany N; Broadfoot, Courtney K; Johnson, Stephen; Connor, Nadine P; Rogus-Pulia, Nicole (2018. ) Patient Adherence to Dysphagia Recommendations: A Systematic Review.Dysphagia, , 33 (2 ) ,173-184 More Information

Krekeler, Brittany N; Wendt, Elizabeth; Macdonald, Cameron; Orne, Jason; Francis, David O; Sippel, Rebecca; Connor, Nadine P (2018. ) Patient-Reported Dysphagia After Thyroidectomy: A Qualitative Study.JAMA otolaryngology-- head & neck surgery, , 144 (4 ) ,342-348 More Information

Krekeler, Brittany N; Connor, Nadine P (2017. ) Age-related changes in mastication are not improved by tongue exercise in a rat model.The Laryngoscope, , 127 (1 ) ,E29-E34 More Information

Glass, Tiffany J; Figueroa, Joanie E; Russell, John A; Krekeler, Brittany N; Connor, Nadine P (2021. ) Progressive Protrusive Tongue Exercise Does Not Alter Aging Effects in Retrusive Tongue Muscles.Frontiers in physiology, , 12 ,740876 More Information

Krekeler, Brittany N; Hou, Jiancheng; Nair, Veena A; Prabhakaran, Vivek; Rusche, Nicole; Rogus-Pulia, Nicole; Robbins, JoAnne (2022. ) Alterations in white matter microstructural properties after lingual strength exercise in patients with dysphagia.Neuroreport, , 33 (9 ) ,392-398 More Information

Vitale, Kailey; Powell, W Ryan; Krekeler, Brittany N; Yee, Joanne; Rogus-Pulia, Nicole (2023. ) Stratifying Risk of Nonadherence in Lingual Strengthening Dysphagia Rehabilitation.American journal of speech-language pathology, , 1-17 More Information

Krekeler, Brittany N; Yee, Joanne; Kurosu, Atsuko; Osman, Fauzia; Peña-Chávez, Rodolfo; Leverson, Glen; Young, Brittany; Sattin, Justin; Knigge, Molly; Thibeault, Susan; Rogus-Pulia, Nicole (2023. ) Effects of Device-Facilitated Lingual Strengthening Therapy on Dysphagia Related Outcomes in Patients Post-Stroke: A Randomized Controlled Trial.Dysphagia, , More Information

Howell, Rebecca; Johnson, Christopher; Allen, Jacqui; Altaye, Mekibib; Amin, Milan; Bayan, Semirra; Belafsky, Peter; Cervenka, Brian; Desilva, Brad; Dion, Gregory R; Ekbom, Dale; Friedman, Aaron; Fritz, Mark; Giliberto, John Paul; Guardiani, Elizabeth; Kasperbauer, Jan; Kim, Brandon; Krekeler, Brittany N; Kuhn, Maggie; Kwak, Paul; Ma, Yue; Madden, Lyndsay L; Matrka, Laura; Mayerhoff, Ross; McKeon, Mallory; Piraka, Cyrus; Rosen, Clark A; Tabangin, Meredith; Wahab, Shaun A; Wilson, Keith; Wright, Carter; Young, VyVy N; Postma, Gregory (2023. ) Surgical Outcomes in Zenker Diverticula: A Multicenter, Prospective, Longitudinal Study.The Laryngoscope, , More Information

Krekeler, Brittany N; Davidson, Kate; Kantarcigil, Cagla; Pearson, William; Blair, Julie; Martin-Harris, Bonnie (2022. ) Determining Swallowing Biomechanics Underlying Modified Barium Swallow Impairment Profile Scoring Using Computational Analysis of Swallowing Mechanics.Journal of speech, language, and hearing research : JSLHR, , 65 (10 ) ,3798-3808 More Information

Glass T.J.; Figueroa J.E.; Russell J.A.; Krekeler B.N.; Connor N.P. (10-21-2021. ) Progressive Protrusive Tongue Exercise Does Not Alter Aging Effects in Retrusive Tongue Muscles.Frontiers in Physiology, , 12 , More Information

Singla, Abhishek; Sharma, Divya; Krekeler, Brittany N; Meyer, Cristopher (2026. ) Aspiration-Related Alveolar Disease: From Acute Injury to Chronic Pulmonary Sequelae.Seminars in respiratory and critical care medicine, , 47 (4 ) ,471-486 More Information

McCoy, Yvette M; Galek, Kristine E; Bice, Ed M; Roberts, Rachel; Hopkins, Anna; Schuck, Blake; Vollman Breen, Claudia; Wright, Devin; Krekeler, Brittany N (2026. ) Effects of Meal Consumption on Isotonic Lingual Endurance in Healthy Adults: A Multi-Institutional Study.Journal of oral rehabilitation, , 53 (8 ) ,1436-1446 More Information

Schoenleb, Nicholas S; Krekeler, Brittany N; Hopkins, Anna K; Boyce, Suzanne E; Howell, Rebecca J; Rule, David W; Mast, T Douglas (2026. ) Assessment of Hyoid Bone Movement by Simultaneous Ultrasound and Videofluoroscopic Imaging.Dysphagia, , 41 (4 ) ,772-787 More Information

Bonilha, Heather Shaw; Krekeler, Brittany N; Wilmskoetter, Janina; Kumar, Sandeep; Reedy, Erin L; Feng, Wuwei; Ikramuddin, Salman; Nahab, Fadi (2026. ) Post-Stroke Dysphagia: Moving Toward Evidence-Based, Recovery-Oriented Systems of Care.Current neurology and neuroscience reports, , 26 (1 ) , More Information

Schuman, Ari D; Allen, Jacqui; Altaye, Mekibib; Amin, Milan R; Bayan, Semirra L; Belafsky, Peter C; DeSilva, Brad W; Dhar, Shumon I; Ekbom, Dale C; Friedman, Aaron D; Fritz, Mark; Gardner, Glendon M; Guardiani, Elizabeth A; Johnson, Christopher; Kasperbauer, Jan; Kim, Brandon; Krekeler, Brittany N; Kuhn, Maggie A; Ma, Yue; Madden, Lyndsay L; Matrka, Laura; Mayerhoff, Ross M; Piraka, Cyrus; Ramaswamy, Apoorva; Rosen, Clark A; Sibley, Haley C; Tabangin, Meredith; Wright, Carter; Yang, Z Mike; Young, Vyvy N; Postma, Gregory; Howell, Rebecca J (2026. ) Unintentional Weight Loss Does Not Predict Poor Outcomes in Zenker Diverticulum.The Laryngoscope, , More Information

Kantarcigil, Cagla; Arrese, Loni; Kim, Sang Jun; Gianakopoulos, Isabella; Bulazo, Marina; Kim, Min Ku; Krekeler, Brittany N (2026. ) Sensor Technologies for Measuring Tongue Biomechanics Relevant to Swallowing: A Narrative Review.Sensors (Basel, Switzerland), , 26 (11 ) , More Information

Schuman, Ari D; McKeon, Mallory; Allen, Jacqui; Altaye, Mekibib; Amin, Milan R; Bayan, Semirra L; Belafsky, Peter C; Bock, Jonathan M; DeSilva, Brad W; Dion, Greg; Ekbom, Dale C; Friedman, Aaron D; Fritz, Mark; Guardiani, Elizabeth A; Johnson, Christopher; Kasperbauer, Jan; Kim, Brandon; Krekeler, Brittany N; Kuhn, Maggie; Kwak, Paul; Ma, Yue; Madden, Lyndsay L; Matrka, Laura; Mayerhoff, Ross M; Piraka, Cyrus; Rosen, Clark; Tabangin, Meredith; Wilson, Keith; Young, Vyvy N; Postma, Gregory; Howell, Rebecca J (2026. ) Dysphagia Outcomes in Zenker Diverticulum: A Longitudinal POuCH Study.The Laryngoscope, , 136 (2 ) ,683-687 More Information

Krekeler, Brittany N; Hopkins, Anna; Vollman, Claudia; Davidson, Kate; Broderick, Erin; Altaye, Mekibib; Tabangin, Meredith; Martin-Harris, Bonnie; Hutcheson, Katherine A (2026. ) Preliminary Validation of Dynamic Imaging Grade of Swallowing Toxicity (DIGESTV2) for Characterizing Swallow Safety and Efficiency in Post-Stroke Populations.Dysphagia, , 41 (1 ) ,96-104 More Information

Krekeler, Brittany N; Loy, Raele Donetha; Shaheen, Nadeem; Lulich, Steven M; Sheridan, Payton; Peña-Chávez, Rodolfo E; Connor, Nadine P; Rogus-Pulia, Nicole (2025. ) Reliability of 3-D/4-D Ultrasound Contouring of Tongue Surface During Swallowing.Ultrasound in medicine & biology, , 51 (8 ) ,1182-1188 More Information

Mira, Amna S; Hopkins, Anna K; Tabangin, Meredith E; Altaye, Mekibib; Krekeler, Brittany N (2025. ) Examining Associations Between Manometric Measures of Lingual Function and Swallowing Physiology Using the Modified Barium Swallow Impairment Profile.American journal of speech-language pathology, , 34 (4 ) ,2072-2080 More Information

Krekeler, Brittany N; Hopkins, Anna; Cooke, Melissa; Tabangin, Meredith; Altaye, Mekibib; Wahab, Shaun; Martin-Harris, Bonnie (2025. ) Poststroke Lingual Function and Swallowing Physiology.Journal of speech, language, and hearing research : JSLHR, , 68 (5 ) ,2318-2338 More Information

Brown, Johnathan; McCoy, Nicole; Allen, Jacqui; Altaye, Mekibib; Amin, Milan; Bayan, Semirra; Belafsky, Peter; DeSilva, Brad; Dion, Greg; Ekbom, Dale; Friedman, Aaron; Fritz, Mark; Giliberto, John Paul; Guardiani, Elizabeth; Johnson, Christopher; Kasperbauer, Jan; Kim, Brandon; Krekeler, Brittany N; Kuhn, Maggie; Kwak, Paul; Ma, Yue; Madden, Lyndsay L; Matrka, Laura; Mayerhoff, Ross; Piraka, Cyrus; Rosen, Clark A; Tabangin, Meredith; Wahab, Shaun; Wilson, Keith; Wright, Carter; Young, VyVy N; Postma, Gregory; Howell, Rebecca J (2024. ) Surgical Nonresponders in Zenker Diverticulum and Lower Esophageal Pathology (POUCH Collaborative).The Laryngoscope, , 134 (12 ) ,4897-4902 More Information

Krekeler, Brittany N; Howell, Rebecca J (2024. ) Cricopharyngeus muscle dysfunction: a poorly defined disorder from diagnosis to treatment.European archives of oto-rhino-laryngology : official journal of the European Federation of Oto-Rhino-Laryngological Societies (EUFOS) : affiliated with the German Society for Oto-Rhino-Laryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, , 281 (9 ) ,4519-4527 More Information

Krekeler, Brittany N; Hopkins, Anna; Tabangin, Meredith E; Altaye, Mekibib; Roberts, Rachel; Saadi, Raneh; Martin-Harris, Bonnie; Rogus-Pulia, Nicole (2024. ) Criterion (Concurrent) Validity and Clinical Utility of the Tongueometer Device.American journal of speech-language pathology, , 33 (4 ) ,1763-1773 More Information

McKeon, Mallory; McCoy, Nicole; Johnson, Christopher; Allen, Jacqui; Altaye, Mekibib; Amin, Milan; Bayan, Semirra; Belafsky, Peter; DeSilva, Brad; Dion, Greg; Ekbom, Dale; Friedman, Aaron; Fritz, Mark; Giliberto, John Paul; Guardiani, Elizabeth; Kasperbauer, Jan; Kim, Brandon; Krekeler, Brittany N; Kuhn, Maggie; Kwak, Paul; Ma, Yue; Madden, Lyndsay L; Matrka, Laura; Mayerhoff, Ross; Piraka, Cyrus; Rosen, Clark A; Tabangin, Meredith; Wahab, Shaun; Wilson, Keith; Wright, Carter; Young, VyVy N; Postma, Gregory; Howell, Rebecca J (2024. ) Postoperative Care of Zenker Diverticula: Contemporary Perspective from the Prospective OUtcomes Cricopharyngeaus Hypertonicity (POUCH) Collaborative.The Laryngoscope, , 134 (6 ) ,2678-2683 More Information

Krekeler, Brittany N; Schieve, Heidi J P; Khoury, Jane; Ding, Lili; Haverbusch, Mary; Alwell, Kathleen; Adeoye, Opeolu; Ferioloi, Simona; Mackey, Jason; Woo, Daniel; Flaherty, Matthew; La Rosa, Felipe De Los Rios; Demel, Stacie; Star, Michael; Coleman, Elisheva; Walsh, Kyle; Slavin, Sabreena; Jasne, Adam; Mistry, Eva; Kleindorfer, Dawn; Kissela, Brett (2024. ) Health Factors Associated With Development and Severity of Poststroke Dysphagia: An Epidemiological Investigation.Journal of the American Heart Association, , 13 (7 ) ,e033922 More Information

Krekeler, Brittany N; Schieve, Heidi J P; Khoury, Jane; Ding, Lili; Haverbusch, Mary; Alwell, Kathleen; Adeoye, Opeolu; Ferioloi, Simona; Mackey, Jason; Woo, Daniel; Flaherty, Matthew; De Los Rios La Rosa, Felipe; Demel, Stacie; Star, Michael; Coleman, Elisheva; Walsh, Kyle; Slavin, Sabreena; Jasne, Adam; Mistry, Eva; Kleindorfer, Dawn; Kissela, Brett (2023. ) Health factors associated with development and severity of post-stroke dysphagia: an epidemiological investigation.medRxiv : the preprint server for health sciences, , More Information

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