Respiratory-swallow training in patients with head and neck cancer.

ABSTRACT:

Objective

To test a novel intervention to train swallowing to occur in the midexpiratory to low expiratory phase of quiet breathing to improve swallowing safety and efficiency.

Design

Safety and efficacy nonrandomized controlled trial with 1-month follow-up.

Setting

Ambulatory clinics.

Participants

Patients (N=30) with head and neck cancer (HNC) and chronic dysphagia completed the intervention. Fifteen of these patients participated in a 1-month follow-up visit.

Interventions

Training protocol based on hierarchy of motor skill acquisition to encourage autonomous and optimal respiratory-swallowing coordination. Visual feedback of respiratory phase and volume for swallowing initiation was provided by nasal airflow and rib cage/abdomen signals.

Main outc

SUBMITTER: Martin-Harris B 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4410058 | biostudies-literature | 2015 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature