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Reconsidering Rehabilitation for Neurogenic Dysphagia: Strengthening Skill in Swallowing

  • Swallowing Disorders (RE Martin, Section Editor)
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Abstract

Purpose of Review

Rehabilitation for oropharyngeal dysphagia aims to improve impaired swallowing biomechanics. However, adverse effects have been reported with strengthening exercises, such as effortful swallowing. Current research is highlighting improvements based on skill, rather than strength, training. Thus, the goal of this review is to determine what evidence exists for skill-based rehabilitation in dysphagia.

Recent Findings

Skill training may be defined as functional repetition and refinement of movement patterns. Skill-based rehabilitation paradigms have been reported for rehabilitation interventions such as lingual accuracy tasks, respiratory-swallowing coordination, and using biofeedback to improve the efficiency of oropharyngeal swallowing. The ultimate goal is to acquire skill in execution of specific swallowing biomechanics at a central level.

Summary

The studies reviewed provide favourable proof-of-concept and positive indicators that skill-based intervention may circumvent some limitations with existing strength-based intervention modalities. Skill-based training in dysphagia may be a promising area for future research.

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Acknowledgments

The University of Canterbury is the owner and manufacturer of the Biofeedback in Strength and Skill Training software; the authors receive no direct income from this.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. The University of Canterbury Rose Centre for Stroke Recovery and Research, Leinster Chambers, Level one, 249 Papanui Rd, Private Bag 4737, Christchurch, 8140, New Zealand

    Maggie-Lee Huckabee & Kristin Lamvik-Gozdzikowska

  2. Department of Communication Disorders, University of Canterbury, Christchurch, New Zealand

    Maggie-Lee Huckabee & Kristin Lamvik-Gozdzikowska

  3. Laura Fergusson Trust, Christchurch, New Zealand

    Kristin Lamvik-Gozdzikowska

Authors
  1. Maggie-Lee Huckabee
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  2. Kristin Lamvik-Gozdzikowska
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Correspondence to Maggie-Lee Huckabee.

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This article does not contain any studies with human or animal subjects performed by any of the authors.

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This article is part of the Topical Collection on Swallowing Disorders

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Huckabee, ML., Lamvik-Gozdzikowska, K. Reconsidering Rehabilitation for Neurogenic Dysphagia: Strengthening Skill in Swallowing. Curr Phys Med Rehabil Rep 6, 186–191 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40141-018-0193-x

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s40141-018-0193-x

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