Effects of Device-Facilitated Isometric Progressive Resistance Oropharyngeal Therapy on Swallowing and Health-Related Outcomes in Older Adults with Dysphagia.

Swallowing disorders (dysphagia) are associated with malnutrition, aspiration pneumonia, and mortality in older adults. Strengthening interventions have shown promising results, but the effectiveness of treating dysphagia in older adults remains to be established. The Swallow STRengthening OropharyNGeal (Swallow STRONG) Program is a multidisciplinary program that employs a specific approach to oropharyngeal strengthening-device-facilitated (D-F) isometric progressive resistance oropharyngeal (I-PRO) therapy-with the goal of reducing health-related sequelae in veterans with dysphagia.

Effects of dining on tongue endurance and swallowing-related outcomes.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to test the hypothesis that eating a meal reduces tongue strength and endurance in healthy old and young adults. It was predicted that older adults would show greater declines in tongue endurance while demonstrating higher perceived effort, longer meal durations, and clinical signs of swallowing difficulty.

Method: Twenty-two healthy adults were enrolled into 2 groups (ages 20-35 years and ages 65-82 years; 5 males and 6 females each).

Comparison of trained clinician ratings with expert ratings of aspiration on videofluoroscopic images from a randomized clinical trial.

Accurate detection and classification of aspiration is a critical component of videofluoroscopic swallowing evaluation, the most commonly utilized instrumental method for dysphagia diagnosis and treatment. Currently published literature indicates that interjudge reliability for the identification of aspiration ranges from poor to fairly good depending on the amount of training provided to clinicians. The majority of extant studies compared judgments among clinicians.

A randomized study of three interventions for aspiration of thin liquids in patients with dementia or Parkinson's disease.

Purpose: This study was designed to identify which of 3 treatments for aspiration on thin liquids-chin-down posture, nectar-thickened liquids, or honey-thickened liquids-results in the most successful immediate elimination of aspiration on thin liquids during the videofluorographic swallow study in patients with dementia and/or Parkinson's disease.

Method: This randomized clinical trial included 711 patients ages 50 to 95 years who aspirated on thin liquids as assessed videofluorographically. All patients received all 3 interventions in a randomly assigned order during the videofluorographic swallow study.

Dysphagia research in the 21st century and beyond: proceedings from Dysphagia Experts Meeting, August 21, 2001.

Swallowing problems (dysphagia) can occur at any age but are most prevalent in elderly individuals and are a growing healthcare concern as the geriatric population expands. Without effective diagnosis and treatment, dysphagia may lead to serious medical conditions such as pneumonia, dehydration, and malnutrition. Experts in the field of dysphagia met on August 21, 2001, in Rockville, Maryland, to respond to this heightened healthcare need and to determine the course of dysphagia research.

The effects of lingual exercise in stroke patients with dysphagia.

Objective: To examine the effects of lingual exercise on swallowing recovery poststroke.

Design: Prospective cohort intervention study, with 4- and 8-week follow-ups.

Setting: Dysphagia clinic, tertiary care center.

Challenges in the design and conduct of a randomized study of two interventions for liquid aspiration.

Background: Liquid aspiration during swallowing has been linked to pneumonia, the most common cause of infectious death in the elderly. This paper examines the key issues in the design and implementation of the first multisite, randomized behavioral trial in dysphagia in an aging population. The study evaluated two commonly used treatments with respect to short-term and long-term management of liquid aspiration and subsequent pneumonia in dysphagic geriatric participants with dementia and/or Parkinson's disease.

The effects of intraoral pressure sensors on normal young and old swallowing patterns.

Lingual pressure generation plays a crucial role in oropharyngeal swallowing. To more discretely study the dynamic oropharyngeal system, a 3-bulb array of pressure sensors was designed with the Kay Elemetrics Corporation (Lincoln Park, NJ). The influence of the device upon normal swallowing mechanics and boluses representative of flow relative to age and bolus condition was the focus of this study.

The effects of lingual exercise on swallowing in older adults.

Objectives: To determine the effects of an 8-week progressive lingual resistance exercise program on swallowing in older individuals, the most "at risk" group for dysphagia.

Design: Prospective cohort intervention study.

Setting: Subjects were recruited from the community at large.