ERIC Number: EJ1184571
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2018
Pages: 14
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-1368-2822
EISSN: N/A
Impact of Thermo-Tactile Stimulation on the Speed and Efficiency of Swallowing: A Systematic Review
Schwarz, Maria; Ward, Elizabeth C.; Ross, Jane; Semciw, Adam
International Journal of Language & Communication Disorders, v53 n4 p675-688 Jul-Aug 2018
Background: A delayed or absent swallow reflex is common in dysphagia and can have a significant impact on swallow safety. Recent clinical practice survey data have supported the fact that clinicians continue to use thermo-tactile stimulation (TTS) as a strategy to stimulate key nerve pathways and evoke a swallow reflex for patients with a delayed or absent swallow reflex. Aims: To conduct a systematic review of the effectiveness of TTS as a compensatory and/or rehabilitative tool. Methods & Procedures: A search performed on CINAHL, Medline and Speech Bite identified 599 articles. After removing duplicates, the titles and abstracts of 458 articles were assessed for eligibility; 426 articles were deemed to be clearly ineligible and the remaining 32 full-text articles were further screened for inclusion. Ten of these studies were included in this review. Main Contribution: The results of this review highlight the lack of available evidence in this area and give support to the view that there is only low-level evidence for use of TTS as a compensatory strategy immediately before a swallow. Conclusions & Implications: There is low-level evidence to support the use of TTS. Current best practice would be to use TTS on a case-by-case basis, following detailed instrumental assessment and evaluation of its efficacy for an individual.
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Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research; Information Analyses
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: English
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