Behavioural Intervention

Abstract

To treat patients with an oro-pharyngeal swallowing dysfunction may be a challenge. All dysphagic patients must be individually evaluated. The dysfunction must be defined according to its etiology. Knowledge about the physiology and anatomy of the normal swallowing function is therefore essential. A team approach may be necessary for a good outcome. The actual pathophysiology should be documented on a clinical and/or instrumental examination. In a videofluoroscopic swallowing examination (VFSE) the entire swallowing sequence could be analysed, and how different therapeutic strategies as well as modified textures affect the physiology of swallowing. In this manuscript an overview of different therapeutic strategies most commonly used among speech and language pathologists (SLP) in the management of dysphagic patients are presented. In some of the techniques there is a lack of evidence, and more well designed clinical trials are necessary to be sure whether a specific technique is a good option for the patient or not. However, it must always be the pathophysiology that guides the choice of adequate swallowing technique.