Post Polio Syndrome - Management & Treatment in Primary
Post Polio Syndrome - Management & Treatment in Primary
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