Identifying Paediatric Populations with Increased Risk for Oropharyngeal Dysphagia in Acute and Critical Care Settings: A Scoping Review.

Dysphagia is common in hospitalised children. Clarity regarding its prevalence is required to direct service needs. This review reports oropharyngeal dysphagia prevalence in children admitted to acute and/or critical care, following acute illness, medical or surgical intervention.

Introducing the Framework for RigOr aNd Transparency In REseaRch on Swallowing (FRONTIERS): An Editorial.

This is an editorial introducing the Framework for RigOr aNd Transparency In REseaRch on Swallowing (FRONTIERS) forum.

Swallowing Safety after Remote sub-total Esophagectomy: How Important is Tongue Pressure?

The factors related to oropharyngeal dysphagia after remote esophagectomy (greater than five months) remain unclear. This study aimed to assess patient perception of dysphagia, maximum anterior isometric pressure (MAIP), maximum posterior isometric pressure (MPIP), lingual swallowing pressure (LSP) and radiographic physiological components of the oral and pharyngeal phases of swallowing in patients who are post remote sub-total esophagectomy (SE). Patient perception of dysphagia was assessed using the Eating Assessment Tool (EAT-10).

Pharyngeal adaptation to bolus properties in patients with Parkinson's disease.

Purpose: Dysphagia is common in people with Parkinson's disease (PD). Yet, literature describing swallow function in PD using high-resolution manometry is limited. This study explored swallowing pressure metrics for varied bolus conditions in people with PD.

Quality of life and broader experiences of those with acoustic neuroma: a mixed methods approach.

Background Acoustic neuromas (ANs) are consistently associated with decreased quality of life (QOL) related to the physical and psychosocial impacts of symptoms experienced from the tumour and its treatment. This study explored patient-reported experiences of ANs in New Zealand, with a focus on the impact on QOL and the provision of information, support and services. Methods A mixed methods approach was taken, conducting an online community survey that included the Penn Acoustic Neuroma Quality of Life Scale (N  = 52).

Exploring the influence of appearance evaluation apprehension: How fear of negative evaluation affects quality of life in people with Vestibular Schwannoma.

People diagnosed with Vestibular Schwannoma (VS) can experience several symptoms both pre and post-treatment. These, alongside the diagnosis experience, can significantly impact their daily life. The present research is a continuation of a larger study aiming to explore the impacts of symptomology and body image/fear of negative evaluation (FNAE) on the quality of life (QOL) for people with VS.

Contribution of Wireless Wi-Fi Intraoral Cameras to the Assessment of Swallowing Safety and Efficiency.

Background: Clinical evaluation of swallowing provides important clinical information but is limited in detecting penetration, aspiration, and pharyngeal residue in patients with suspected dysphagia. Although this is an old problem, there remains limited access to low-cost methods to evaluate swallowing safety and efficiency.

Purpose: The purpose of this technical report is to describe the experience of a single center that recently began using a wireless Wi-Fi intraoral camera for transoral endoscopic procedures as an adjunct to clinical swallowing evaluation.

Auckland Regional Cleft Palate Service: service accessibility and speech outcomes.

Aim: This study explored speech outcomes for five-year-olds born with cleft palate residing in the Auckland Regional Cleft Palate Service catchment, with a focus on ethnicity and geographical influences on service accessibility and speech outcomes.

Methods: A retrospective audit of children born with cleft palate between 2013-2016 was conducted (n=89), including secondary surgeries, ethnicity, distances travelled, services offered and attended. Speech outcomes at five years were compared to international benchmarking.

Investigating Parkinson's disease with dual high resolution pharyngeal manometry with impedance and videofluoroscopy.

Purpose: To characterize pharyngeal function in people with Parkinson's Disease using both high resolution impedance manometry (HRIM) and videofluoroscopy (VFSS) and to explore correlations between VFSS and HRIM metrics.

Methods: All participants received both VFSS and HRIM within 24 h-time window. A standard VFSS protocol (IDDSI 0: 1 mL, 3 mL, 20 mL, and 100 mL) was performed.

The Impact of Physical and Environment Factors on Parental Presence for Oral Feeding in New Zealand Neonatal Intensive Care Units.

Aim: To identify physical environmental factors influencing family involvement in feeding in New Zealand neonatal units.

Background: Infant oral feeding development is critical for both short-term feeding skills and longer term neurodevelopmental outcomes. The neonatal environment is well-known as challenging for neuroprotection due to negative sensory exposure.

In the thick of it: A commentary on the strength of evidence for thickened fluids.

The efficacy of thickened fluids for individuals with dysphagia has come under increasing scrutiny among healthcare professionals. This commentary provides a critical appraisal of the research evidence and presents a balanced argument on the benefits and limitations of thickened fluids in dysphagia management. By doing so, we aim to engage the readership to think critically about this controversial topic and make informed, patient-centered decisions regarding the use of thickened fluids in dysphagia management.

The current state of empathy, compassion and person-centred communication training in healthcare: An umbrella review.

Objectives: This umbrella review consolidates evidence available on empathy training, its effectiveness and design mechanisms that contribute to effectiveness.

Methods: We conducted an umbrella review (review of reviews) of empathy, compassion and person-centred communication training in healthcare published between 2018 and 2022. One reviewer screened titles, abstracts and full-text articles, with a second reviewer at full-text stage.

Exploring Reliable and Identifiable Quantitative Anatomical, Timing, and Displacement Measures in the VFS of Speech.

Aim: Videofluroscopy studies of speech are a recognized assessment of velopharyngeal insufficiency (VPI). Yet, this method is subjective and has low inter-rater reliability. Quantitative measures of timing, distance, and area in videofluoroscopic studies of swallowing have been shown to be valid and reliable, but quantitative measures are not routinely used in videofluroscopy studies for VPI.

A Novel Quantitative Measure of Pharyngeal Shortening.

Background: Little is known about pharyngeal shortening (PShort) during swallowing. This observational study measured PShort during swallowing in healthy adults and compared it to patients with swallowing impairments of different aetiologies.

Methods: 275 healthy volunteers (19-99 years) and 75 dysphagic patients (25 with head and neck cancer, 25 with Parkinson's, 25 with stroke) underwent videofluoroscopy.

Accumulated Secretions and Associated Aerodigestive Function in Patients With Dysphagia.

Purpose: Accumulated pharyngo-laryngeal secretions are associated with dysphagia, aspiration, and poor health outcomes. Despite ongoing developments in the evaluation of pharyngo-laryngeal secretions, understanding of the underlying mechanisms is limited. Pathophysiology associated with accumulated secretions is needed to guide tailored, targeted treatment pathways.

The Introduction of a Protocol for Esophageal Screening in Videofluoroscopic Swallowing Studies: Exploring Clinical Impacts and Barriers.

Purpose: Esophageal screening is a valuable inclusion in videofluoroscopic swallowing studies (VFSSs). However, routine standardized esophageal screening does not always occur in clinical practice. This study introduced and evaluated an esophageal screening protocol at one Australian hospital.

Home-based oral health program for adults with intellectual disabilities: An intervention study.

Background: Poor oral health is common in adults with intellectual disabilities leading to risk of mouth and lung infections. Yet, little is known about the benefits of preventative oral health programs.

Objective/hypothesis: This prospective longitudinal experimental mixed methods study evaluated the efficacy of an oral health program aimed at improving knowledge and behaviours in adults with intellectual disabilities living in supported housing.

Using Virtual Patients to Support Empathy Training in Health Care Education: An Exploratory Study.

Introduction: Empathy is essential for effective patient care. Yet, research shows suboptimal empathy in patient-practitioner interactions. Intelligent virtual patient simulations may offer an effective educational tool for empathy training.

The effect of symptomatology and mental wellbeing on quality of life in people with acoustic neuroma.

Introduction: Acoustic neuroma (AN) research largely employs a medical framework to understand health outcomes. An alternative is to examine quality of life (QOL) outcomes. This study explored whether mental well-being (i.

A systematic review of behavioural therapies for improving swallow and cough function in Parkinson's disease.

Purpose: This systematic review evaluated the efficacy of therapeutic interventions on improving swallow, respiratory, and cough functions in Parkinson's disease (PD).

Method: A PRISMA systematic search was implemented across six databases. We selected studies reporting pre- and post-assessment data on the efficacy of behavioural therapies with a swallow or respiratory/cough outcome, and excluded studies on medical/surgical treatments or single-session design.

Malnutrition in aged care: interplay between dysphagia and diet.

Purpose Of Review: This review aims to deliver expert insights on the current advances and challenges in managing malnutrition in aged care settings, with a specific emphasis on the interaction between dysphagia and diet.

Recent Findings: Several reviews identify the high prevalence of dysphagia in aged care facilities and highlight the correlation between dysphagia and malnutrition. Recent studies underscore the importance of nutrition and cancer screening and assessment, yet highlight the lack of consensus on the definitive tools to be used.

Pharyngeal Squeeze Maneuver During Endoscopy-What Does it Tell Us?

Objectives: Diminished pharyngeal constriction is a common biomechanical deficit associated with dysphagia and holds strong predictive value for aspiration. Pharyngeal squeeze manoeuvre (PSM) was previously validated for evaluating pharyngeal constriction on endoscopy. However, PSM is not routinely used in laryngology clinics or flexible endoscopic evaluation of swallowing (FEES) protocols worldwide.

Implementing an interprofessional palliative care education program to speech-language therapy and dietetic students.

Palliative care education for allied health professionals has received minimal research attention. This longitudinal study followed the development of an education program for speech-language therapy (SLT) and dietetic (DT) students. The project comprised three stages.

Impact of Quantitative Videofluoroscopic Swallowing Measures on Clinical Interpretation and Recommendations by Speech-Language Pathologists.

Quantitative measures are available for adult videofluoroscopic swallow study (VFSS) analysis but are yet to be seen routinely in clinical practice. This study explores agreement between traditional observational analysis and quantitative analysis, and the impact of analytical approaches on subsequent diagnosis and recommendations. One hundred adults referred for VFSSs with swallowing concerns were administered a standardised VFSS protocol.