Perception of Swallowing-Related Fatigue Among Older Adults

Swallowing dysfunction between the community-living older adults with and without comorbid conditions using Patient-Reported Outcome Measures (PROM)

OBJECTIVE

The present study aimed to investigate older adults' perspective on their swallowing physiology using a PROM tool. The study further explored the swallowing issues among older adults with and without comorbid conditions.

METHOD

One hundred twenty-two (122) participants participated in the e-survey. A questionnaire was developed to assess the swallowing deficits among older adults, and Eating Assessment Tool-10 (EAT-10) was administered to assess the PROM.

RESULTS

The results revealed that 40% of older adults with comorbid conditions had EAT-10 scores greater than 3, suggesting swallowing deficits. A significant difference was observed between the two groups with respect to swallowing deficits, as reported on EAT-10.

CONCLUSION

Based on the results, it can be delineated that swallowing deficits emerge with aging. More of older adults with comorbid conditions reported swallowing deficits in comparison to those without comorbid conditions. Hence, their nutritional and health status gets compromised, leading to poor quality of life.

A Measure of Swallow Effort Using the Borg Category Ratio 10 Perceived Exertion Scale

PURPOSE

With the emphasis on patient-centered care, tools to adequately measure the experience of swallowing are an important part of clinical care. Swallowing effort is one such experience. However, few measurement tools capture swallowing effort in the moment of swallowing to quantify effort. The Borg Category Ratio 10 Perceived Exertion Scale (Borg CR 10), designed to track effort in a variety of tasks from lifting, breathing, and running, appears to be a likely candidate to measure swallowing effort in the moment of swallowing.

METHOD

In a quasi-random design, 32 healthy individuals, ages 40-80 years (average age: 63 years), consumed seven bolus consistencies in both small and large quantities, three times. Following each individual swallow, they rated the amount of effort it took to swallow each bolus using an adapted Borg CR 10 for swallowing effort.

RESULTS

Results showed significantly greater reports of swallowing effort on the Borg CR 10 for more adhesive consistencies, larger quantities, and increased number of swallows.

CONCLUSION

Results suggest that the Borg CR 10 is a reasonable measurement tool to capture patient-perceived effort in swallowing.

Flexibility for Intensity Dosing in Lingual Resistance Exercises: A Large Randomized Clinical Trial in Typically Aging Adults as Proof of Principle

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.

The relationship between sarcopenia, dysphagia, malnutrition, and frailty: making the case for proactive swallowing exercises to promote healthy aging

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

The purpose of this review is to summarize current evidence regarding the relationship between sarcopenia of the swallowing muscles, dysphagia, malnutrition, and frailty in the context of aging. Further, this review will provide preliminary support for proactive swallowing exercises to reverse and/or prevent sarcopenia of the swallowing muscles.

RECENT FINDINGS

Recent studies lend support to a cyclic relationship between sarcopenia of the swallowing muscles, dysphagia, malnutrition, and frailty. Unfortunately, all studies are limited by their study design and lack instrumental imaging of swallowing function. Research (in the limbs) supports the use of proactive exercises and protein supplementation to reverse sarcopenia, especially in prefrail individuals. This provides a foundation to design and test similar preventive exercises for the swallowing muscles.

SUMMARY

As the population is rapidly aging, it is vital to understand how the natural loss of muscle in aging impacts swallowing function and the downstream impact on nutritional and physical function. Prospective, longitudinal research with sophisticated outcome measures are required to fully understand this cycle and provide an opportunity to test methods for interrupting the cycle.