Barriers and Facilitators in Using Surface Electromyography in Swallowing Management: An Implementation Science Study.

Purpose: This study aimed to identify clinician-perceived barriers and facilitators before the implementation of surface electromyography (sEMG) for swallowing management, implement sEMG biofeedback in swallowing rehabilitation sessions using implementation strategies, and investigate the perceived benefits and drawbacks after the implementation of the sEMG device from the perspectives of speech-language pathologists (SLPs).

Method: An initial pre-implementation survey characterized the SLPs' practices in swallowing management regarding the use of biofeedback modalities as well as facilitators and barriers to the implementation of sEMG. In the implementation phase, six SLPs attended educational and training meetings, tested, and used sEMG with patients during their swallowing sessions.

Evaluating Anterior and Posterior Oral Tongue Contributions to Pressure Generation: A Comparison Between Regular and Effortful Saliva Swallows.

Purpose: This study determined the contributions of the anterior and posterior tongue regions in tongue pressure generation during regular saliva swallows (SSs) and effortful swallows (ESs) completed under two different instructions. The association between tongue pressure and perceived effort to swallow was also examined.

Method: Forty healthy adults without swallowing disorders participated in this study, divided into two age groups: 20 younger ( = 21.

Hyolaryngeal Movement During Normal and Effortful Swallows Determined During Ultrasonography.

Purpose: This study investigated (a) the effects of the effortful swallow under two different instructions (tongue emphasis vs. pharyngeal squeezing) on hyoid displacement and hyoid-larynx approximation, (b) the association between tongue pressure and hyolaryngeal movement during normal swallowing and the effortful swallow produced with tongue emphasis, and (c) age-related differences in hyolaryngeal movement during normal and effortful swallows (tongue emphasis vs. pharyngeal squeezing) in healthy individuals.

Surface Electromyographic Activity of the Masseter Muscle During Regular and Effortful Saliva Swallows: A Preliminary Study.

Biofeedback is a critical component in motor learning of new, complex behaviors such as modifications to swallowing. Surface electromyography (sEMG) is a commonly employed biofeedback tool in swallowing management to assess muscle activity patterns, determine amplitude and duration of swallowing, and train swallowing strategies such as the effortful swallow (EFS) maneuver. The EFS can potentially change multiple physiological components of the swallowing process such as pressure generation and movement of biomechanical structures.

Brazilian Portuguese Adaptation and Validation of the Language Screening Test for Poststroke Patients.

Background: There is a lack of standardized assessment tools for poststroke aphasia in Brazil, particularly bedside screenings for early identification of patients with suspected language disorders. The Language Screening Test (LAST) is a valid and reliable method for screening hospitalized patients following a stroke. This tool was first developed in French and then translated and validated in other languages.

Effectiveness of Intense Accent Modification Training With Refugees From Burma.

Purpose: This pilot research project sought to determine if an intensive accent modification training program that included See the Sound-Visual Phonics and prosodic gestures improved articulation, prosody, and intelligibility measures in refugees from Burma.

Participants: Four individuals (two men, two women) aged 20-67 participated in this study, and they were recruited from a state organization supporting refugees who have resettled in the United States.

Method: All participants completed the Proficiency in Oral English Communication (POEC) and Assessment of Intelligibility of Dysarthric Speech (AIDS) to measure pre- and posttraining changes.

A Systematic Review of the Physiological Effects of the Effortful Swallow Maneuver in Adults With Normal and Disordered Swallowing.

Purpose This systematic review summarizes the biomechanical and functional effects of the effortful swallow in adults with and without dysphagia, highlighting clinical implications and future research needs. Specifically, the effects of the effortful swallow on swallowing physiology, safety, and efficiency were identified, as well as the strengths and limitations of current research. Method Recommendations specified by the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses were followed.

Functionally navigated transcranial magnetic stimulation to evoke lingual pressure in stroke survivors with dysphagia and healthy adults: a proof of concept trial.

: Post-stroke dysphagia is characterized by reduced corticolingual excitability and lingual pressure; however, it remains unknown if transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) directly facilitates lingual pressure generation.: To explore optimal procedures for single pulse TMS using neuronavigation to evoke lingual pressure in intact and disrupted neural networks.: Using co-registered functional magnetic resonance imaging, stimulation sites were determined for five healthy adults (age = 67) and four stroke survivors with dysphagia and reduced tongue strength (age = 66).

Stroke Communication Scale based on the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF - SCS).

Introduction: The International Classification of Functioning, Disability, and Health encompasses activities, participation, and contextual factors in health care, helping in the evaluation, planning, and management of patients.

Aim: To develop an instrument to evaluate and classify speech-language needs, participation, and functioning in post-stroke based on the International Classification of Functioning, Disability, and Health.

Materials And Methods: This is a methodological research to develop an instrument.

Dysarthria as a predictor of dysphagia following stroke.

Background: Stroke is the leading cause of mortality and disability worldwide. Important sequels are frequent, including dysphagia and communication disorders.

Objective: to determine the prevalence of dysphagia and communication disorders following stroke, and to identify if communication disorders can predict dysphagia.

Predictors of pneumonia in acute stroke in patients in an emergency unit.

Objective: To evaluate the risk factors and comorbid conditions associated with the development of pneumonia in patients with acute stroke. To determine the independent predictors of pneumonia.

Method: Retrospective study from July to December 2011.