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Pauloski BR, Nitschke T, Schultz S, Bloedel S, Amman A, Kessler L, Lisowski K. Association of Tongue Strength and Maximum Incisal Opening with Oral Intake in Persons with Head and Neck Cancer Treated with Radiotherapy: A Retrospective Study. Dysphagia 2024; 39:726-734. [PMID: 38446254 DOI: 10.1007/s00455-023-10653-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2023] [Accepted: 11/20/2023] [Indexed: 03/07/2024]
Abstract
Persons treated with radiotherapy (RT) for cancer of the head and neck (HNC) may experience limited oral intake at treatment completion. The purpose of this retrospective study was to examine the contributions of tongue strength and maximum incisal opening (MIO) to oral intake in a cohort of veterans treated for HNC. Medical records of veterans diagnosed with HNC treated with RT who were seen by the Speech Pathology Service prior to and throughout treatment per usual care were reviewed for this study; eighty-two records met the inclusion criteria for analysis. Tongue strength in kPa, MIO in mm, feeding tube status at completion of RT, and food and liquid consistencies consumed at completion of RT were among the data abstracted from the records. Most veterans (67%) did not have a feeding tube present at the completion of RT and reported drinking thin liquids (84.2%) at treatment completion. Eighteen percent reported including all food consistencies in their diet at the end of treatment. Both MIO and tongue strength decreased after treatment. Greater tongue strength during RT and larger MIO at the completion of RT were predictive of improved functional outcomes for oral intake at the end of treatment. This study provides evidence of the importance of increasing tongue strength and MIO during treatment with RT, and supports an important focus for intervention by speech-language pathologists.
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Affiliation(s)
- Barbara Roa Pauloski
- Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders, College of Health Professions and Sciences, University of Wisconsin Milwaukee, 2400 E. Hartford Avenue, Suite 840, Milwaukee, WI, 53211, USA.
- Clement J. Zablocki Veterans Administration Medical Center, Research Speech Pathologist, WOC, 5000 National Avenue, Room 8300, Building 111, Milwaukee, WI, 53295, USA.
| | - Terilynn Nitschke
- Clement J. Zablocki Veterans Administration Medical Center, Speech-Language Pathologist, 5000 National Avenue, Room 8300, Building 111, Milwaukee, WI, 53295, USA
| | - Stephanie Schultz
- Clement J. Zablocki Veterans Administration Medical Center, Speech-Language Pathologist, 5000 National Avenue, Room 8300, Building 111, Milwaukee, WI, 53295, USA
| | - Suzi Bloedel
- Clement J. Zablocki Veterans Administration Medical Center, Speech-Language Pathologist, 5000 National Avenue, Room 8300, Building 111, Milwaukee, WI, 53295, USA
| | - Adrienne Amman
- Clement J. Zablocki Veterans Administration Medical Center, Speech-Language Pathologist, 5000 National Avenue, Room 8300, Building 111, Milwaukee, WI, 53295, USA
| | - Laura Kessler
- Clement J. Zablocki Veterans Administration Medical Center, Speech-Language Pathologist, 5000 National Avenue, Room 8300, Building 111, Milwaukee, WI, 53295, USA
| | - Kara Lisowski
- Clement J. Zablocki Veterans Administration Medical Center, Speech-Language Pathologist, 5000 National Avenue, Room 8300, Building 111, Milwaukee, WI, 53295, USA
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Szynkiewicz SH, Drulia T, Griffin L, Mulheren R, Murray KL, Lee T, Kamarunas E. Flexibility for Intensity Dosing in Lingual Resistance Exercises: A Large Randomized Clinical Trial in Typically Aging Adults as Proof of Principle. AMERICAN JOURNAL OF SPEECH-LANGUAGE PATHOLOGY 2023; 32:3021-3035. [PMID: 37850842 DOI: 10.1044/2023_ajslp-23-00113] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/19/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The objective of this study was to determine the effect of intensity dosing during tongue exercise on tongue pressure generation, adherence, and perceived effort. DESIGN This was a five-site, prospective, randomized clinical trial. Outcome measures were obtained across multiple baselines, biweekly during exercise, and 4-weeks post-intervention. SETTING The general community at each study site. PARTICIPANTS Typically aging adults between 55-82 years of age with no history of neurological or swallowing disorders. Eighty-four volunteers completed the study. INTERVENTIONS Participants were randomly assigned to one of four exercise groups: (a) maximum intensity/no biofeedback, (b) progressive intensity/no biofeedback, (c) maximum intensity/biofeedback, and (d) progressive intensity/biofeedback. Half of the participants completed a maintenance exercise program. OUTCOME MEASURES Maximum isometric pressure (MIP), regular effort saliva swallow pressure, adherence, and the Borg Rating of Perceived Exertion Scale. RESULTS All exercise protocols were efficacious for gains in MIP (large effect sizes; Cohen's d). Group 3 made gains in regular effort saliva swallow pressure (medium effect size). There was a significant change in perceived exertion for regular effort saliva swallow pressure at 8 weeks. Tongue pressure gains were maintained at 1 month, regardless of maintenance group status. Mean adherence across groups was high. CONCLUSIONS All groups improved pressure generation. Intensity dosing differences did not affect strength gains, adherence, or detraining. Regular effort saliva swallow pressure may be most responsive to maximum intensity with biofeedback. The findings suggest flexibility in approach to tongue exercise protocols. Tongue muscles may differ from limb muscles in terms of dose response and neuroplasticity principles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah H Szynkiewicz
- Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders, Samford University, Birmingham, AL
| | - Teresa Drulia
- Davies School of Communication Sciences and Disorders, Texas Christian University, Fort Worth
| | - Lindsay Griffin
- Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders, Emerson College, Boston, MA
| | - Rachel Mulheren
- Department of Psychological Sciences, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH
| | - Kelsey L Murray
- Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders, James Madison University, Harrisonburg, VA
| | - Theresa Lee
- Department of Psychological Sciences, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH
| | - Erin Kamarunas
- Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders, James Madison University, Harrisonburg, VA
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Zhang H, Ye C, Zhang S, Yang D, Gong X, Li S, Xue W, Su J, Zhao L, Qiu Y, He X, Zhang Y, Tang M. Association between health literacy and dysphagia in the community-dwelling older population: a cross-sectional study. Aging Clin Exp Res 2023; 35:2165-2172. [PMID: 37505395 PMCID: PMC10520086 DOI: 10.1007/s40520-023-02499-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2023] [Accepted: 07/07/2023] [Indexed: 07/29/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Dysphagia, or swallowing disorders, has become a growing concern due to the aging population, and health literacy plays a crucial role in active aging. However, the relationship between them remains unclear. AIMS To investigate the association between health literacy and dysphagia among community-dwelling older adults in China. METHODS A survey was conducted on 4462 older adults aged 65 and above in a community in Yiwu City, China, from May 2021 to January 2022. Swallowing problems were assessed using a 30 ml water swallowing test (WST) and the Eating Assessment Tool-10 questionnaire (EAT-10). The participants' health literacy was evaluated using the Chinese Health Literacy Scale (CHLS). Logistic regression and t tests were employed to measure the association between them. RESULTS The prevalence of dysphagia was 5.70% and 7.85% as determined by EAT-10 and 30 ml-WST, respectively. The health literacy level of community-dwelling older adults was 24.4 ± 4.93 (9-45). Participants with dysphagia exhibited lower levels of health literacy (p < 0.05). The logistic regression model demonstrated an inverse association between health literacy and dysphagia (OR = 0.94, 95%CI = 0.91-0.96 for EAT-10, and OR = 0.93, 95%CI = 0.92-0.95 for WST). Moreover, this association remained significant even after adjusting for covariates. DISCUSSION Older adults with dysphagia have lower levels of health literacy, particularly in terms of their ability to seek medical advice, acquire and evaluate medical information, and access social support resources. CONCLUSIONS Health literacy is associated with dysphagia among community-dwelling older adults. Effective interventions should be implemented to provide support in terms of both medical services and social support for this population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huafang Zhang
- The Fourth Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Yiwu, 322000, China
| | - Chenxi Ye
- The Fourth Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Yiwu, 322000, China
| | - Simei Zhang
- Department of Public Health, Fourth Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, 310058, China
| | - Dan Yang
- Zhejiang Nursing Association, Hangzhou, 310003, China
| | - Xiaolan Gong
- Futian Community Health Service Center, Yiwu, 322000, China
| | - Sihan Li
- The Fourth Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Yiwu, 322000, China
| | - Wenfeng Xue
- The Fourth Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Yiwu, 322000, China
| | - Jie Su
- The Fourth Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Yiwu, 322000, China
| | - Lancai Zhao
- The Fourth Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Yiwu, 322000, China
| | - Yufeng Qiu
- The Fourth Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Yiwu, 322000, China
| | - Xiaona He
- The Fourth Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Yiwu, 322000, China
| | - Yongming Zhang
- The Fourth Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Yiwu, 322000, China.
| | - Mengling Tang
- The Fourth Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Yiwu, 322000, China.
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The Relationship Between Lingual Strength and Functional Swallowing Outcomes in Parkinson’s Disease. Dysphagia 2022:10.1007/s00455-022-10543-0. [DOI: 10.1007/s00455-022-10543-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2022] [Accepted: 11/16/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
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Kamarunas E, Mulheren R, Wong SM, Griffin L, Ludlow CL. The Feasibility of Home-Based Treatment Using Vibratory Stimulation in Chronic Severe Dysphagia. AMERICAN JOURNAL OF SPEECH-LANGUAGE PATHOLOGY 2022; 31:2539-2556. [PMID: 36346969 DOI: 10.1044/2022_ajslp-22-00045] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE Previously, externally placed vibratory laryngeal stimulation increased rates of swallowing in persons with and without dysphagia. This study examined the feasibility of using a vibratory device on the skin over the thyroid cartilage for home-based swallowing rehabilitation in long-standing dysphagia. METHOD Only participants with long-standing dysphagia (> 6 months) following cerebrovascular accident or head/neck cancer who had not previously benefited from dysphagia therapy participated. The device had two modes used daily for 90 days. In automatic mode, participants wore the device when awake, which vibrated for 4-8 s every 5 min to trigger a volitional swallow. In manual mode, participants practiced by activating vibration while swallowing rapidly. Study-related adverse events, such as pneumonia, and device-recorded adherence were tracked. Swallowing function on a modified barium swallow study was assessed at baseline and after 3 months of device use. Outcome measures included the Dysphagia Outcome and Severity Scale (DOSS), Penetration-Aspiration Scale (PAS), and swallowing timing measures. Participants' perceptions of the vibratory device and training were obtained. RESULTS The intent to treat analysis showed seven of 11 participants completed the study, all with severe chronic dysphagia. Of those seven participants completing the study, two developed respiratory complications (possibly due to pneumonia) that cleared after antibiotic intervention. For prescribed practice trials, adherence was 80% or greater in four of seven participants (57%) whereas prescribed automatic stimulations were met in only two of seven participants (29%). Three participants (43%) had a modest benefit on DOSS. The time to vestibule closure after the bolus passed the ramus was reduced in five participants (71%) on the modified barium swallow study. CONCLUSION Overall, the results have indicated that intensive home-based practice with stimulation may provide limited functional benefits in severe chronic dysphagia. SUPPLEMENTAL MATERIAL https://doi.org/10.23641/asha.21498591.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erin Kamarunas
- Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders, College of Health and Behavioral Studies, James Madison University, Harrisonburg, VA
- Voice and Swallow Clinic, Sentara Rockingham Memorial Hospital, Harrisonburg, VA
| | - Rachel Mulheren
- Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders, College of Health and Behavioral Studies, James Madison University, Harrisonburg, VA
- Communication Sciences Program, Department of Psychological Sciences, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH
| | - Seng Mun Wong
- Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders, College of Health and Behavioral Studies, James Madison University, Harrisonburg, VA
- Speech and Language Therapy Program, Health and Social Sciences, Singapore Institute of Technology
- Speech Therapy Department, Singapore General Hospital
| | - Lindsay Griffin
- Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders, College of Health and Behavioral Studies, James Madison University, Harrisonburg, VA
- Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders, School of Communication, Emerson College, Boston, MA
| | - Christy L Ludlow
- Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders, College of Health and Behavioral Studies, James Madison University, Harrisonburg, VA
- Voice and Swallow Clinic, Sentara Rockingham Memorial Hospital, Harrisonburg, VA
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