This is an interesting question. Therapists frequently use a little mirror. They get it cold, and touch it right in a certain part of your throat to evoke a certain response over and over. So yes, it is an exercise.

It is one of many exercises that they coach patients through. I also cannot be sure this is what you saw on Dateline. You may have also seen a little scope that they use to see where they otherwise could not. But your description is pretty specific, so I doubt it.

I misssed the Dateline on PD (a cardinal sin for someone who blogs on PD). I will do more research and blog on it at http://www.MyParkinsonsInfo.com.

Go to; http://www.nbcdateline.com

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/12305523/

and

http://www.maprc.com/home/default.aspx

**********************************************************************************ADDITIONAL***********************************************************************************

This is a link specifically geared to treatments.

http://www.mayoclinic.org/swallowing-problems/treatment.html