Purpose The COVID-19 pandemic has drastically increased the use of telehealth. Prior studies of telehealth clinical swallowing evaluations provide positive evidence for telemanagement of swallowing. However, the reliability of these measures in clinical practice, as opposed to well-controlled research conditions, remains unknown.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFPurpose Our aim was to critically review recent literature on the use of telehealth for dysphagia during the COVID-19 pandemic and enhance this information in order to provide evidence- and practice-based clinical guidance during and after the pandemic. Method We conducted a rapid systematized review to identify telehealth adaptations during COVID-19, according to peer-reviewed articles published from January to August 2020. Of the 40 articles identified, 11 met the inclusion criteria.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFSuccessful rehabilitation of oropharyngeal swallowing disorders (i.e., dysphagia) requires frequent performance of head/neck exercises that primarily rely on expensive biofeedback devices, often only available in large medical centers.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFPurpose The aim of this study was to compare biomechanical swallowing outcomes and perceived effort as well as detraining effects of the established Head Lift Exercise (HLE) and the novel Recline Exercise (RE) in healthy older adults. Method Twenty-two healthy older adults were randomized to perform either the RE or the HLE for a period of 6 weeks. Subjects underwent videofluoroscopic swallowing studies at 3 time points (baseline, postexercise, and following a 6-week detraining period).
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground And Purpose: Preliminary evidence has shown that reduced ability to maximally raise vocal pitch correlates with the occurrence of aspiration (i.e., airway invasion by food or liquid).
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