Concurrent and Predictive Validity of the Mann Assessment of Swallowing Ability in Belgian Acute Stroke Patients Based on a 1-Year Follow-Up Study.

Introduction: The Mann Assessment of Swallowing Ability (MASA) is a standardized clinical swallowing examination, specifically developed as a diagnostic test for the presence of oropharyngeal dysphagia and aspiration in the early period after stroke onset. In the original validation study, cutoff scores of <178 and <170 points, respectively, for the identification of dysphagia and aspiration risk are reported. However, a literature search revealed that alternative cutoff scores for dysphagia and/or aspiration provide better diagnostic accuracy.

How can technology support ageing in place in healthy older adults? A systematic review.

Background: Ageing in place has recently gained visibility in healthcare policies and services. Technology has the potential to facilitate independence at home. The objective of this systematic review is to identify technologies that have been rigorously evaluated for supporting the ageing in place of healthy older adults.

Validation of the Dutch version of the Swallowing Quality-of-Life Questionnaire (DSWAL-QoL) and the adjusted DSWAL-QoL (aDSWAL-QoL) using item analysis with the Rasch model: a pilot study.

Background: The Swallowing Quality-of-Life Questionnaire (SWAL-QoL) is considered the gold standard for assessing health-related QoL in oropharyngeal dysphagia. The Dutch translation (DSWAL-QoL) and its adjusted version (aDSWAL-QoL) have been validated using classical test theory (CTT). However, these scales have not been tested against the Rasch measurement model, which is required to establish the structural validity and objectivity of the total scale and subscale scores.

Feasibility and Psychometric Properties of the Adjusted DSWAL-QoL Questionnaire for Dysphagic Patients with Additional Language and/or Cognitive Impairment: Part I.

The Swallowing Quality-of-Life questionnaire (SWAL-QoL) is considered the gold standard for assessing health-related quality of life in people with dysphagia. However, many dysphagic patients struggle to complete this questionnaire because of additional functional sequelae such as language impairment and cognitive disorders. In this study, we sought to develop an adjusted Dutch version of the SWAL-QoL (aDSWALQoL) and to evaluate its psychometric properties and feasibility compared with the original questionnaire.

Oral health screening: feasibility and reliability of the oral health assessment tool as used by speech pathologists.

Background: The aim of this study was to investigate the feasibility and reliability of the Oral Health Assessment Tool (OHAT) as used by speech pathologists, to become part of a comprehensive clinical swallowing examination.

Methods: A multicentre study in 132 elderly subjects was conducted by speech pathologists. The inter-rater, test-retest and intra-rater reliabilities of the OHAT were assessed in R statistics, version 3.