swallowing,fvc,peak flow study

[gooseberry]

Today Steve participated in a research study. It involved a swallow test, pft, cough test with audio and video recordings, a mental fitness test and a rating scale. The idea is to try to find a portable and simple measure that can be used to assess swallowing and potential for aspiration. It was quite interesting. They are building on 2 other studies that had previously been done. They have previously identified a volume component to cough that correlates with risk but now are looking to add a simple device that could be used in the field or bedside.

 

[Nikki J]

Thank him for doing this. Curious about the cough test. What was that? And was the swallow test the traditional kind or something experimental?

 

[gooseberry]

Regular swallow test. They put a penny under the chin so they can measure the amount of movement of the hyoid bone and time of movement. There is a correlation with how long the hyoid bone moves in a swallow and aspiration potential.

The cough test was using a peak flow meter but also a sound amplification machine. They had found via the cough sounds previously that a cough flow measurement of 258, I do not know units of measure, correlates to aspiration risk even though no obvious problems. Steves measurements came in at 170 so he is at risk. He is still eating a normal diet but gets extremely fatigued when eating. So his food plan will change a bit.

 

[Nikki J]

Thanks for sharing. Interesting and important !