Sonja Molfenter
Associate Professor; Department Chair
Communicative Sciences and Disorders
212-992-7694
Dr. Sonja Molfenter is a clinically-trained Speech Language Pathologist whose research specializes in understanding the physiological features of both normal swallowing and disordered swallowing (known as dysphagia). Swallowing function is commonly disrupted after acquired conditions such as stroke, brain injury, head and neck cancer; however, dysphagia also commonly manifests in the context of aging/frailty. Dysphagia has the potential to lead to serious medical conditions (malnutrition, dehydration, pneumonia) and can have life-altering impacts on well-being and quality-of-life.
Dr. Molfenter's over-arching research goal is to produce clinically-relevant research to inform front-line clinical practice. Her primary research focus is on understanding age-related changes to swallowing. Her current NIH-funded research examines naturally-occurring muscle loss in the pharynx (throat) as the result of aging and explores methods to prevent or reverse these changes. The ultimate goal of this line of research is to proactively interrupt age-related decline in swallowing function to positively impact the health and quality of life of older adults.
Selected Publications
- Crossman, C., Piol, S., Price, D.C., Veit, K. & Molfenter, S.M. (2025). The state of exercise-based dysphagia intervention literature: A scoping review. Laryngoscope Investigative Otolaryngology. Volume 10, Issue 4. https://doi.org/10.1002/lio2.70180
- Molfenter, S.M., Jones-Rastelli, R.B., Barfield, A., Cooks, D., Jackson, K., Robinson, J.C., Price, D., Crossman, C., & Johnson, A. (2025). Assessing public awareness and understanding of dysphagia: A representative survey of US adults. Published online ahead of print in Dysphagia. doi.org/10.1007/s00455-025-10826-2
- Crosby, T., Molfenter, S.M., Balou, M., Ezeh, U.C. & Amin, M.R. (2025). The efficacy of outpatient swallowing therapy – a retrospective longitudinal cohort study. Published online ahead of print in Dysphagia. doi.org/10.1007/s00455-025-10823-5
- Adrián Castillo-Allendes, A., Khoury, C.J., Curtis, J.A., Mocchetti, V., Kuroda, J., Kuroda, K., Ikeuchi, T., Saitoh, E., Inamoto, Y., Ueha, R., Matsuo, K., Rogus-Pulia, N., Molfenter, S.M., Tanaka, T., Iijima, K. Rameau, A. (2025). Cross-Cultural Adaptation of the Oral Frailty Index-8 for United States English-Speakers. E-pub ahead of print in Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery. https://doi.org/10.1002/ohn.70047
- Jones-Rastelli, R.B., Amin, M.R., Anandhakrishnan, M., M., Balou, M., Crossman, C., Herzberg, E.G., Johnson, A.M. & Molfenter, S.M. (2025). Comparing Videofluoroscopic and Patient Reported Outcome Measures of Swallowing After ACDF Surgery. Laryngoscope. 2025 Jul 28. doi: 10.1002/lary.32352. Online ahead of print.
- Jones-Rastelli, R.B., Crossman, C., Price, D., Stal, F. & Molfenter, S.M. (2024). The Influence of Perspective on Perception: Assessing Residue Across Planes of Videofluoroscopy. Laryngoscope. Epub ahead of print. https://doi.org/10.1002/lary.31873
- Jones-Rastelli, R.B., Tang, X., Harel, D., & Molfenter, S.M. (2024). AP View Acquisition During Videofluoroscopy: A survey study exploring influential factors on SLP practice patterns. Journal of Speech Language Hearing Research. Epub ahead of print. https://doi.org/10.1044/2024_JSLHR-24-00424
- Gartling G., Balou M., Amin M., Molfenter S.M., Jones-Rastelli R.B., Ezeh U.C., Achlatis S., Johnson A., Gherson S., Chiappetta N., Barkmeier-Kraemer J., & Branski R.C. (2024). The Impact of Vocal Tremor on Deglutition: A Pilot Study. Laryngoscope. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 38963230.
- Molfenter, S.M., Jones-Rastelli, R.B. & Balou, M. (2024). Radiographic magnification on videofluoroscopy: An important variable to consider for scaled analyses of swallowing. Journal of Speech Language Hearing Research. Vol 67, 126-131.https://doi.org/10.1044/2023_JSLHR-23-00430
- Garand, K.L., Grissett, A., Corbbett, M.M., Molfenter, S.M., Herzberg, E.G., Kim, H.J. & Choi, D. (2023). Quantifying pharyngeal residue across the adult lifespan: Normative values by age, gender and swallow task. Journal of Speech Language Hearing Research. 7;66(3):820-831. https://doi.org/10.1044/2022_JSLHR-22-00413
- Molfenter, S.M., Amin, M.R., Balou, M., Herzberg, E.G. & Frempong-Boadu, A. (2023). Capturing Dysphagia after Anterior Cervical Discectomy and Fusion: The Need for a Paradigm Shift. The European Spine Journal. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00586-022-07515-1
- Molfenter, S.M. (2022). The relationship between sarcopenia, dysphagia, malnutrition, and frailty: Making the case for proactive swallowing exercises to promote healthy aging. Current Opinion in Otolaryngology & Head and Neck Surgery, 30(6), 400-405.
- Brates D., Harel D., Molfenter, S.M. (2022). Perception of swallowing-related fatigue among older adults. Journal of Speech Language Hearing Research. 17;65(8):2801-2814. doi: 10.1044/2022_JSLHR-22-00151
- Brates, D., Troche., M.S. & Molfenter, S.M. (2021). The Role of Fatigue in the Aging Swallow: A Review. OBM Geriatrics. 2021, Volume 5, Issue 2 doi:10.21926/obm.geriatr.2102166
- Brates, D., Namasivayam-MacDonald, A. & Molfenter, S.M. (2021). Survey of Clinician Perspectives and Practices Regarding Swallowing-Related Fatigue. American Journal of Speech-Language Pathology. Vol 30. 1170-1180. https://doi.org/10.1044/2021_AJSLP-20-00208
- Brates, D. & Molfenter, S.M. (2021). The Influence of Age, Eating a Meal, and Systematic Fatigue on Swallowing and Mealtime Parameters. Dysphagia (e-pub ahead of print). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00455-020-10242-8.
- Namasivayam-MacDonald, A., Riquelme, L.F., & Molfenter S.M. (2020). Establishing a method for quantifying spinal curvature during videofluoroscopic swallow studies: Applying the modified Cobb angle to healthy young and older adults. OBM Geriatrics 2020, Volume 4, Issue 3, doi:10.21926/obm.geriatr.2003129
- Brates, D., Steele, C., & Molfenter, S.M. (2020). Measuring hyoid excursion across the lifespan: Anatomical scaling to control for variation. Journal of Speech Language Hearing Research. 63(1), 125-134. https://doi.org/10.1044/2019_JSLHR-19-00007
- Lenell, C., Brates, D., Pearson, W. & Molfenter, S. (2020). Variations in healthy swallowing mechanics during various bolus conditions using computational analysis of swallowing mechanics (CASM). Dysphagia. 35(2), 272-280. DOI: 10.1007/s00455-019-10026-9
- Curtis, J.A., Molfenter, S.M. & Troche, M.S. (2020). Pharyngeal area changes in Parkinson's Disease and its influence on swallowing safety, efficiency, and kinematics. Dysphagia. 35(2):389-398. doi:10.1007/s00455-019-10052-7
- Curtis, J.A., Molfenter, S.M. & Troche, M.S. (2020). Predictors of residue, penetration, and aspiration in Parkinson’s Disease.Dysphagia. 35(2):220-230. doi: 10.1007/s00455-019-10014-z
- Herzberg, E., Brates, D., & Molfenter, S.M. (2019). Physiological compensation for advanced bolus location at swallow onset in healthy seniors. Journal of Speech Language Hearing Research. 62(12):4351-4355. https://doi.org/10.1044/2019_JSLHR-19-00169
- Molfenter, S. M., Lenell, C. & Lazarus, C.L. (2019). Volumetric changes to the pharynx in healthy aging: Implications for pharyngeal swallowing mechanics and function. Dysphagia. 34(1):129-137. doi: 10.1007/s00455-018-9924-5
- Brates, D., Molfenter, S.M., Thibeault, S. (2019). Assessing hyolaryngeal excursion: Comparing quantitative methods to palpation at the bedside and visualization during videofluoroscopy. Dysphagia, 34(3), 298-307. doi: 10.1007/s00455-018-9927-2
- Balou, M., Herzberg, E.G., Kamelhar, D. & Molfenter, S.M. (2019). An intensive swallowing exercise protocol for improving swallowing physiology in older adults with radiographically-confirmed dysphagia. Clinical Interventions in Aging, 14:283-288. DOI: 10.2147/CIA.S194723
- Turcotte, M., Herzberg, E.G., Balou, M., & Molfenter, S.M. (2018). Analysis of pharyngeal edema post-chemoradiation for head and neck cancer: Impact on swallow function. Laryngoscope Investigative Otolaryngology. 3: 377-383. doi: 10.1002/lio2.203
- Molfenter, S. M., Brates, D., Herzberg, E.G., Noorani, M., & Lazarus, C.L. (2018). The swallowing profile of healthy aging adults: Comparing non-invasive swallow tests to videofluoroscopic measures of safety and efficiency. Journal of Speech Language Hearing Research. Vol. 61: 1603-1612. DOI: 10.1044/2018_JSLHR-S-17-0471
- Herzberg, E.G., Lazarus, C.L., Steele, C.M. and Molfenter, S.M. (2018). Swallowing event sequencing: Comparing healthy older and younger adults. Dysphagia. 33(6):759-767. DOI: 10.1007/s00455-018-9898-3
- Molfenter, S. M., Hsu, C.Y., Lu, Y., & Lazarus, C.L. (2017). Alterations to swallowing physiology as the result of effortful swallowing in healthy seniors. Dysphagia. 33(3):380-388. DOI: 10.1007/s00455-017-9863-6
- Muss, L., Wilmskoetter, J., Richter, K. Fix, C., Stanchus, S., Pitzen, T., Drumm, J., & Molfenter, S. M. (2017). Changes in swallowing after anterior cervical disk fusion with anterior instrumentation: A pre- versus post-surgical videofluoroscopic comparison. Journal of Speech Language and Hearing Research. 60(4):785-79. DOI: 10.1044/2016_JSLHR-S-16-0091
- Molfenter, S. M. (2016). The reliability of oral and pharyngeal dimensions captured with acoustic pharyngometry. Dysphagia. 2016; 31(4):555-9. doi: 10.1007/s00455-016-9713-y
- Molfenter, S. M.., Amin, M., Branski, R., Brumm, J., Hagiwara, M., Roof, S. & Lazarus, C. (2015). Age-related changes in pharyngeal lumen size: A retrospective MRI analysis. Dysphagia. 30(3): 321-327. DOI: 10.1007/s00455-015-9602-9
- Nagy, A., Molfenter, S. M., Peladeau-Pigeon, M., Stokely, S. L. & Steele, C. M. (2015). The effect of bolus consistency on hyoid velocity in healthy swallowing. Dysphagia. 30(4): 445-451. DOI: 10.1007/s00455-015-9621-6
- Stokely, S. L., Peladeau-Pigeon, M., Leigh, C., Molfenter, S. M., & Steele, C. M. (2015). The relationship between pharyngeal constriction and post-swallow residue. Dysphagia. 30(3):349-356. doi: 10.1007/s00455-015-9606-5
- Nagy, A., Molfenter, S., Peladeau-Pigeon, M., Stokely, S., & Steele, C. (2014). The Effect of Bolus Volume on Hyoid Kinematics in Healthy Swallowing. BioMed Research International, vol. 2014, Article ID 738971, 6 pages. doi: 10.1155/2014/738971
- Steele, C. M., Molfenter, S. M., Peladeau-Pigeon, M., Palacco, R., & Yee, C. (2014). Variations in tongue-palate swallowing pressures when swallowing xanthan gum-thickened liquids. Dysphagia. 29(6), 678-684. doi: 10.1007/s00455-014-9561-6
- Molfenter, S. M. & Steele, C. M. (2014). Use of an anatomical scalar to control for sex-based size differences in measures of hyoid excursion during swallowing. Journal of Speech Language and Hearing Research. 57: 768-778. doi: 10.1044/2014_JSLHR-S-13-0152
- Molfenter, S. M. & Steele, C. M. (2014). Kinematic and temporal predictors of penetration-aspiration in liquid swallowing. Dysphagia. 29(2):269-276. doi: 10.1007/s00455-013-9506-5
- Molfenter, S. M. Leigh, C. & Steele, C. M. (2014). Event sequence variability in healthy swallowing: Building on previous findings.Dysphagia. 29(2):234-242. doi: 10.1007/s00455-013-9501-x
- Stokely, S., Molfenter, S. M., & Steele, C. (2014). Effects barium concentration on oropharyngeal swallow timing measures.Dysphagia. 29(1): 78-82. doi: 10.1007/s00455-013-9485-6
- Fei, T., Cliffe Polacco, R., Hori, S., Molfenter, S. M., Peladeau-Pigeon, M., Tsang, C. & Steele, C. M. (2013). Age-related differences in tongue-pressure for strength and swallowing tasks. Dysphagia. 28:575-581. doi: 10.1007/s00455-013-9469-6
- Steele, C. M., Molfenter, S. M., Péladeau-Pigeon, M. & Stokely, S. L. (2013). Challenges in preparing contrast media for videofluoroscopy. Dysphagia, 28(3), 464-467. doi: 10.1007/s00455-013-9476-7
- Nagy, A., Leigh, C., Hori, S.F., Molfenter, S.M., Shariff, T., & Steele, C.M. (2013). Timing differences between cued and non-cued swallows in healthy adults. Dysphagia, 28(3), 428-434. doi: 10.1007/s00455-013-9456-y
- Molfenter, S. M. & Steele, C. M. (2013). The relationship between post-swallow residue and aspiration on the subsequent swallow: An application of the Normalized Residue Rating Scale. Dysphagia, 28(4), 494-500. doi: 10.1007/s00455-013-9459-8
- Steele, C. M., Bailey, G. L., Cliffe Polacco, R., Hori, S., Oshalla, M., Molfenter, S. M. & Yeates, E. M. (2013). Outcomes of tongue-pressure strength and accuracy training for dysphagia following acquired brain injury. International Journal of Speech-Language Pathology. 15(5): 492-502. doi: 10.3109/17549507.2012.752864
- Molfenter, S. M. & Steele, C. M. (2013). Variation in temporal measures of swallowing: Sex and volume effects. Dysphagia. 28(2), 226-233. doi: 10.1007/s00455-012-9437-6
- Pearson, W. G. Jr., Molfenter, S. M., Smith, Z. & Steele, C. M. (2013). Image-based measurement of post-swallow residue: The Normalized Residue Ratio Scale. Dysphagia. 28(2), 167-177. doi: 10.1007/s00455-012-9426-9
- Molfenter, S. M. & Steele, C. M. (2012). Temporal variability in the deglutition literature. Dysphagia, 27(2), 162-177.doi: 10.1007/s00455-012-9397-x
- Molfenter, S. M. & Steele, C. M. (2011). Physiological variability in the deglutition literature: Hyoid and laryngeal kinematics. Dysphagia, 26(1), 67-74. doi: 10.1007/s00455-010-9309-x
- Steele, C. M., Molfenter, S. M., Bailey, G. L., Cliffe Polacco, R., Waito, A.A., Zoratto, D.C.B.H., & Chau, T. (2011). Validation of a brief swallow screening protocol against concurrent videofluoroscopy. Canadian Journal of Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology, 35(3), 214-277.
- Steele, C. M., Bailey, G. L., Chau, T., Molfenter, S. M., Oshalla, M., Waito, A.A. & Zoratto, D. C. B. H. (2011). The relationship between hyoid and laryngeal displacement and swallowing impairment. Clinical Otolaryngology. 36(1): 30-6. doi: 10.1111/j.1749-4486.2010.02219.x
- Waito, A., Bailey, G. L., Molfenter, S. M., Zoratto, D. C. & Steele, C. M. (2011). Voice-quality abnormalities as a sign of dysphagia: Validation against acoustic and videofluoroscopic data. Dysphagia, 26(2), 125-134. doi: 10.1007/s00455-010-9282-4
- Steele, C. M., Bailey, G.L. & Molfenter, S. M. (2010). Tongue pressure modulation during swallowing: Water vs. nectar-thick liquids. Journal of Speech, Language & Hearing Research, 53(2), 273-283. doi: 10.1044/1092-4388(2009/09-0076)
- Steele, C. M., Bailey, G.L., Molfenter, S. M., Yeates, E.M. & Grace-Martin, K. (2010). Pressure profile similarities between tongue resistance training tasks and liquid swallows. Journal of Rehabilitation Research and Development, 47(7), 651-660. doi: 10.1682/jrrd.2009.05.0068
- Hanna, F., Molfenter, S. M., Cliffe, R. E., Chau, T. & Steele, C. M. (2010). Anthropometric and demographic correlates of dual-axis swallowing accelerometry signal characteristics: A canonical correlation analysis. Dysphagia, 25(2) 94-103. doi: 10.1007/s00455-009-9229-9
- Molfenter, S. M., Ammoury, A., Yeates, E. M. & Steele, C. M. (2009). Decreasing the knowledge-to-action gap through research-clinical partnerships in speech-language pathology. Canadian Journal of Speech-Language Pathology & Audiology, 33(2), 82-88.
- Steele, C. M., Bailey, G. L., Molfenter, S. M. & Yeates, E. M. (2009). Rationale for strength and skill goals in tongue resistance training: A review. Perspectives: American Speech-Language Hearing Association, 18(2), 9-14.
- Yeates, E. M., Molfenter, S. M. & Steele, C. M. (2008). Improvements in tongue strength and pressure-generation precision following a tongue-pressure training protocol in older individuals with dysphagia: Three case reports. Clinical Interventions in Aging, 3(4), 735-747. doi: 10.2147/cia.s3825
- Tagliamonte, S. & Molfenter, S. M. (2007). How did you get that accent? Acquiring a 2nd dialect of the same language. Language in Society, 36: 649-676. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0047404507070911