Erin Kamarunas
Associate Professor
kamaruee@jmu.edu
Office: HBS 1020
Bio Page

Focus of Lab

Dr. Kamarunas's research is centered on advancing the understanding and rehabilitation of dysphagia, with a particular emphasis on innovative therapeutic techniques and their clinical implications.

Current Ongoing Studies:

• Mental imagery as a dysphagia treatment method
• Perception and sensory testing of swallowing
• Clinical judgments of swallowing evaluation
• Exploring innovative swallowing rehabilitation methods

Grant support

• ASHFoundation - Predictive Value of Oral Sensory Perception on Dysphagia
• Encompass Therapies - Your mind can exercise too: A novel application of motor imagery practice in swallowing rehabilitation

Prospective Doctoral Students

Join Our Research Team: Seeking Passionate Doctoral Students

Are you ready to make a meaningful impact in the field of dysphagia rehabilitation? The EAT Lab at JMU is looking for dedicated and driven doctoral students to join our team. We are seeking candidates with a strong academic background, a passion for research, teaching, and clinical education, and a commitment to improving patient outcomes. Whether you are interested in clinical studies, neurophysiological investigations, or technological advancements in rehabilitation, the EAT lab provides a supportive and stimulating environment to pursue your doctoral studies.

As a member of EAT Lab, you will:

• Receive supportive mentorship to engage in research that combines clinical practice with advanced scientific inquiry.
• Develop and utilize innovative rehabilitation techniques
• Present your findings at national and international conferences.
• Publish in leading scientific journals.

Email Dr. Kamarunas to inquire about joining the lab.

Current Doctoral Students in the EAT Lab

Kelsey Murray, CCC-SLP

Kelsey is in the final stages of her dissertation, titled Palpation as a Method to Predict Objective Hyolaryngeal Excursion Measures.

Kiera Berggren, CCC-SLP

Kiera works full-time at Virginia Commonwealth University and is currently working on her dissertation, Assessment of labial and lingual sensation and correlates with swallowing function in individuals with adult-onset myotonic dystrophy type 1 (DM1)

Contact Information:

Eating and Swallowing Analysis and Treatment (EAT) Lab
235 MLK Jr. Way

HBS 5023, MSC 4304
Harrisonburg, VA 22807
Telephone: 540-568-8846
FAX: 540-568-6492

Recent Peer-Reviewed Journal Publications

Drulia, T., Szynkiewicz, S., Griffin, L., Mulheren, R., Murray, K., & Kamarunas, E. (2024). A Comparison of Lingual Pressure Generation Measures Using Two Devices in Community-Dwelling, Typically  Aging Adults: An Important Clinical Implication. Journal of speech, language, and hearing research: JSLHR, 67(2), 429–439. https://doi.org/10.1044/2023_JSLHR-23-00488

Szynkiewicz, S. H., Drulia, T., Griffin, L., Mulheren, R., Murray, K. L., Lee, T., & Kamarunas, E. (2023). Flexibility for Intensity Dosing in Lingual Resistance Exercises: A Large Randomized Clinical Trial in Typically Aging Adults as Proof of Principle. American journal of speech-language pathology, 32(6), 3021–3035. https://doi.org/10.1044/2023_AJSLP-23-00113

Griffin, L., Kamarunas, E., Smith, J. B., Kuo, C., & O'Donoghue, C. (2023). Dysphonia Outperforms Voice Change as a Clinical Predictor of Dysphagia. American journal of speech-language pathology, 32(6), 2676–2690. https://doi.org/10.1044/2023_AJSLP-23-00018

Smith, J. B., Kamarunas, E., & O'Donoghue, C. (2023). The Influence of Side-Lying Position on Oropharyngeal Swallow Function in At-Risk Infants: An Exploratory Study. Clinical pediatrics, 62(9), 1087–1100. https://doi.org/10.1177/00099228231159158

Kamarunas, E., Mulheren, R., Wong, S.M., Griffin, L. & Ludlow, C. (2022). The feasibility of home-based treatment using vibratory stimulation in chronic, severe dysphagia. American Journal of Speech-Language Pathology, 31(6), 2539-2556. https://doi.org/10.1044/2022_AJSLP-22-00045

Griffin, L., Kamarunas, E., Kuo, C., O’Donoghue, C. (2022). Comparing amplitudes of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) to the sensorimotor cortex during swallowing. Experimental Brain Research. 240(6), 1811-1822. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00221-022-06381-z

Kamarunas, E., Szynkiewicz, S., Griffin, L., Drulia, T., Murray, K. (2022). Mental practice of lingual resistance and cortical plasticity in older adults: An exploratory fNIRS study. International Journal of Orofacial Myology and Myofunctional Therapy, 48(1), 1-16. https://doi.org/10.52010/ijom.2022.48.1.1

Drulia, T., Kamarunas, E., O’Donoghue, C., Ludlow, C. (2021) An exploration of lung volume effects on swallowing in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. American Journal of Speech-Language Pathology. 30(5): 2155-2168. https://doi.org/10.1044/2021_AJSLP-20-00389

Szynkiewicz, S., Kamarunas, E., Drulia, T., Nobriga, C., Griffin, L., O’Donoghue, C. (2020) A randomized controlled trial comparing physical and mental lingual exercise for healthy older adults. Dysphagia. 2021 Jun;36(3):474-482. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00455-020-10164-5

Wong, S.M., Kamarunas, E., Ludlow, C. (2020) Impaired movement scaling and reduced synchrony with vestibule closure characterize swallowing in severe dysphagia. Dysphagia. 35(4), 643-656. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00455-019-10067-0

Kamarunas, E., Wong, S. M., & Ludlow, C. L. (2019). Laryngeal Vibration Increases Spontaneous Swallowing Rates in Chronic Oropharyngeal Dysphagia: A Proof-of-Principle Pilot Study. Dysphagia, 34(5), 640–653. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00455-018-9962-z