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Post Polio Syndrome - Management & Treatment in Primary

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36 <strong>Post</strong> <strong>Polio</strong> <strong>Syndrome</strong><br />

Assessment and <strong>Treatment</strong> of Swallow<strong>in</strong>g<br />

The cl<strong>in</strong>ical swallow exam<strong>in</strong>ation (CSE) and VFSS 17 are the two most<br />

frequently used techniques for swallow evaluation and management.<br />

The CSE typically <strong>in</strong>volves case history, medical note review, a<br />

cl<strong>in</strong>ical assessment and mealtime observation. 18<br />

VFSS is one of several <strong>in</strong>strumental procedures designed to assess<br />

safety for oral feed<strong>in</strong>g and to determ<strong>in</strong>e if there are swallow strategies<br />

that may reduce the risk of aspiration. The purpose of these techniques is<br />

to exam<strong>in</strong>e oropharyngeal physiology dur<strong>in</strong>g bolus 19 flow from the oral<br />

cavity to the stomach. VFSS enables visualisation of the ma<strong>in</strong> structures<br />

<strong>in</strong> one image, can follow the bolus from the mouth to the stomach, 20 and<br />

is non-<strong>in</strong>vasive.<br />

VFSS consists of <strong>in</strong>gestion of radiopaque substances of various<br />

consistencies with concurrent videofluoroscopy. It has two purposes:<br />

(1) to def<strong>in</strong>e the abnormalities <strong>in</strong> anatomy and physiology caus<strong>in</strong>g<br />

the person’s symptoms, and<br />

(2) to identify and evaluate treatment strategies that may immediately<br />

enable the person to eat safely and/or efficiently. 21<br />

VFSS is designed to assess not only whether a person is aspirat<strong>in</strong>g, but<br />

also why, so that appropriate and efficient treatment can be <strong>in</strong>itiated.<br />

The SLT should take the opportunity dur<strong>in</strong>g VFSS to exam<strong>in</strong>e the<br />

effectiveness of at least some of the treatment options that fit the polio<br />

survivor’s swallow<strong>in</strong>g difficulties.<br />

In general, the <strong>in</strong>troduction of treatment strategies beg<strong>in</strong>s with the use<br />

of postural techniques, followed by swallow manoeuvres, and f<strong>in</strong>ally, diet<br />

changes if necessary. The rationale for this sequence of <strong>in</strong>terventions is<br />

based on the muscle effort required by people and the ease of application<br />

and learn<strong>in</strong>g of the various procedures.<br />

<strong>Post</strong>ural techniques are easily used, even for those with some degree<br />

of restricted mobility and have been demonstrated to effectively elim<strong>in</strong>ate<br />

aspiration on liquids and other foods. <strong>Post</strong>ural techniques redirect food<br />

flow and change pharyngeal dimensions.<br />

Swallow manoeuvres, on the other hand, require ability to actively<br />

follow directions and voluntarily manipulate the oropharyngeal swallow<br />

as it is ongo<strong>in</strong>g.<br />

PPS Mngt and Treat.<strong>in</strong>db 36 02/07/2007 16:07:52

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