[Differences in the quality of life of patients with oropharyngeal dysphagia according to the place of residence: impact on food selection and type of diet]. / Diferencias en la calidad de vida de pacientes con disfagia orofaríngea según el lugar de residencia: impacto en la selección de alimentos y el tipo de dieta.

INTRODUCTION: Background: dysphagia is a disabling, uncomfortable symptom with repercussions on daily basic aspects of well-being. The SWAL-QoL test is validated for checking dysphagia's impact on quality of life (QoL). Methods: a descriptive cross-sectional study. Randomized patients from our in-house Nutrition & Dietetics database. Telephone interviews directly with patients or caregivers. SWAL-QoL test, 11 sections: swallowing, eating, symptoms, food selection, communication, fears, mental health, fatigue, and social function. A 1-5 Likert scale was adjusted and final results were linearly transferred to 0-100 (100 being best positive score). Results as follows: 0-49 severe impact (SI), 50-70 moderate impact (MI), and 71-100 mild impact or no impact (DI/NI). Variables: gender, age, days with treatment, residence: Home (H)/nursing home (NH), indication of commercial thickener (CT) by V/V test: nectar (N), honey (H), pudding (P), days with CT, type of diets; pureed (PD), soft diet (SD), mixed(P&S/D), regular (RD), SWAL-QoL sections. Results: a total of 202 patients with a mean age of 85 years (23-103); IQR: 12. Mostly women, 57.9 %. Dwelling: 43.1 % H/56.9 % NH. SWAL-QoL: SI affects 19.3 %, 59.9 % MI and 20.8 % DI/NI. Using less thickener proved a better QoL; SI in pudding 21.1 % vs nectar 15.3 %, p = 0.04. Diets included 66.3 % PD; 3 % SD; MD, 21.3 %, and RD, 9.4 %. At NH 86.1 % of PD vs 40.2 % at H, p < 0.001. Direct impact of diet on QoL: 30.8 % on DI or no impact of grouped diets vs 15.7 % with PD, p = 0.016. Analysing each section by H/NH, significant difference between fears, higher at H, 57.01 ± 36.41 vs NH, 48.70 ± 27.03, p < 0.001; worse mental health for NH, 66.44 ± 34.30 vs H, 47.48 ± 24.06, p < 0.001; better food selection for H, 75.86 ± 34.12 vs NH, 68.17 ± 33.60, p < 0.01. Conclusions: defining QoL contributes to a better understanding of patient needs. More information to confront their fears is helpful to adjust the texture of liquids properly. Increasing adaptations of diets and diversity in food selection are needed especially in those living in NH.

INTRODUCCIÓN: Introducción: la disfagia es un síntoma invalidante, incómodo, con repercusiones en aspectos básicos del bienestar. El test SWAL-QoL esta validado para comprobar el impacto de la disfagia en la calidad de vida (QoL). Métodos: estudio descriptivo transversal (enero 2018). Pacientes con tratamiento de espesante aleatorizados a partir de la base de datos interna de la Unidad de Nutrición y Dietética. Entrevistas telefónicas al paciente o cuidador. Test SWAL-QoL, 11 secciones: carga de enfermedad, síntomas, selección de alimentos, apetito, duración comidas, miedos, comunicación, salud mental, sueño/descanso, fatiga y afectación social. Puntuación ajustada con escala Likert (1-5). Resultados finales transferidos linealmente de 0 a 100 (mejor puntuación positiva). Interpretación: 0-49, impacto severo (IS); 50-70, impacto moderado (IM); y 71-100, impacto discreto o sin impacto (ID/NI). Variables: sexo, edad, días de tratamiento, vivienda en domicilio (D)/residencia(R); indicación de espesante comercial (EC) con MECV-V: néctar (N), miel (M), pudín (P); días con EC, tipo de dieta: puré (DP), blanda (SD), mixta (DM), normal (DN); secciones SWAL-QoL. Resultados: en total, 202 pacientes de 85 años (23-103); IQR: 12. Mayoría de mujeres, 57,9 %; 43,1 % D/56,9 % R. SWAL-QoL: 19,3 % IS, 59,9 % IM y 20,8 % ID/NI. Usar menos espesante demostró mejor QoL, IS en pudín: 21,1 % vs. Néctar: 15,3 %, p = 0,04. Las dietas realizadas fueron: 66,3 % DP; 3 % DB; DM 21,3 %, y DN 9,4 %. En R, más DP (86,1 %) que en D (40,2 %), p < 0,001. DP asociada a peor QoL: % de ID o no impacto en DP, 15,7 % vs. 30,8 % en el resto de dietas, p = 0,016. Analizando cada sección por D/R, diferencia significativa entre miedos, mayor en D (57,01 ± 36,41) vs. R (48,70 ± 27,03), p < 0,001; peor salud mental en R: 66,44 ± 34,30 vs. D: 47,48 ± 24,06, p < 0,001; mejor selección de alimentos en D (75,86 ± 34,12) vs. R (68,17 ± 33,60), p < 0,01. Conclusiones: definir la percepción de la QoL contribuye a una mejor comprensión de las necesidades del paciente. Es necesaria más información para afrontar sus miedos, para adecuar mejor la viscosidad de los líquidos y la textura de la dieta. Se recomienda aumentar la diversidad alimentaria en las residencias.

Swallowing muscle training for oropharyngeal dysphagia: A non-inferiority study of online versus face-to-face therapy.

INTRODUCTION: The purpose of this study is to show the non-inferiority of the telemedicine therapy versus face-to-face using the exercise therapy of oropharyngeal muscles in 183 patients treated consecutively from 2010 to 2020. METHOD: We conducted a retrospective study comparing two dysphagia treatment groups: online versus face-to-face. Patients were distributed in a non-random way but according to patient's preferences. All patients followed the same pathway and were evaluated at the beginning and at the end of the study using the dysphagia outcome and severity scale and the functional oral intake scale. A non-inferiority analysis approximation was done with delta = 1 in both variables. RESULTS: Within a total of 183 patients, 114 (62.3%) used the online treatment and 69 (37.7%) the face-to-face one. The main cause of dysphagia was neurological in the total sample (60.7%) and within both groups. When we evaluate the clinical response, we find that both groups improved regardless of the type of therapy. The confidence interval of the difference between the beginning and the end of treatment did not reach the inferior limit of the delta defined, therefore supporting the no inferiority of online versus presential. DISCUSSION: This study shows the no inferiority of the online therapy versus the face-to-face one for the oropharyngeal training of the swallow muscles.

Emerging Concepts and Evidence in Telematics Novel Approaches or Treatments for Spasticity Management After Botulinum Injection.

There is a strong recommendation for the use of intramuscular botulinum toxin in patients with persistent or progressive spasticity affecting one or more joints and who have an identifiable therapeutic target. After a botulinum toxin injection, a stretching intervention improves the results of the treatment, and it should be performed by patients and/or caregivers after being trained by a therapist. Adherence to this recommendation remains low once the therapist stops following the patient. The COVID-19 pandemic has increased the use of telemedicine with different approaches to treat patients. There has been an increased use of motivational applications, with virtual reality software and real-life videos, which provide a gaming experience that increases adherence. There are programs with synchronous telehealth exercises guided by physical therapists or software with sensor-based technology that shows the range of motion (ROM) and strength of the muscles of a particular joint. These new approaches to patient follow-up appear to increase adherence to exercise because they need to be "watched and controlled" is achieved.

Effectiveness of Lymphedema Prevention Programs With Compression Garment After Lymphatic Node Dissection in Breast Cancer: A Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial.

Background: Patients with breast cancer who undergo axillary lymph node dissection (ALND) are at risk of developing lymphedema, which can negatively impact quality of life. Lymphedema prevention programs, which primarily consist of educational content and exercise, have been shown to reduce the incidence of lymphedema. The addition of compression garments (CG) may increase the effectiveness of these programs. Aim: We aimed to determine whether adding a compression garment to a conventional lymphedema prevention program could improve treatment effectiveness. Design: Randomized clinical trial. Methods: Seventy patients who had undergone ALND for breast cancer were randomized to receive conventional preventative therapy (control arm, n = 35) consisting of a 1-hour educational session and a 12-week exercise program or the same therapy plus upper limb CGs (experimental arm, n = 35). Patients in the experimental arm were instructed to wear the CG ≥ 8 h/day for the first 3 months after surgery and 2 h/day thereafter. Results: At 2-years, the overall incidence of lymphedema in the two groups was 12.3%, with no significant differences between the conventional and experimental arms (12.5 vs. 12.1%). In the experimental arm, the incidence of lymphedema was significantly lower (p = 0.02) in patients who used the CGs daily as recommended compared to patient who did not adhere to this treatment recommendation. Neither exercise (p = 0.518) nor education alone decreased the incidence of lymphedema. Adherence decreased over time. Conclusions: The findings of this RCT show that health education, preventive exercise programs, and patient adherence to therapeutic recommendations all play an important role in preventing lymphedema. Clinical Rehabilitation Impact: Our data demonstrated that the use of a compression garment during the first 3 months after axillary node dissection may reduce the likelihood of lymphedema in high-risk patients.

Importancia de la cuantificación del desplazamiento hioideo en la valoración del estadio y evolución de la disfagia orofaríngea / The importance of the quantification of hyoid displacement in the evaluation of the score and evolution of oropharyngeal dysphagia

Introducción y objetivos: El objetivo de este trabajo es mostrar nuestra experiencia y consideraciones al cuantificar el desplazamiento hioideo, así como observar su correlación con las escalas cualitativas de valoración de la disfagia. Métodos: Se mide el desplazamiento hioideo mediante el método descrito por el grupo de Molfenter y Steele 2014 en una serie de 14 pacientes con disfagia orofaríngea antes y después del tratamiento, y se valora su correlación con la Escala de penetración y aspiración de Rosenbek de 1996, y con la Functional Oral Intake Scale de Crary de 2005. Resultados: Todos los pacientes variaron el desplazamiento total del hioides tras el tratamiento aplicado. Esta variación se correlacionó con las variaciones de la Escala de penetración y aspiración en todos los pacientes que presentaban aspiración o penetración. Sin embargo, las modificaciones del desplazamiento total hioideo no se correlacionaron con las variaciones de la Functional Oral Intake Scale. Conclusiones: La mejora en el desplazamiento total del hioides es un indicador clínico de la mejora en la aspiración del paciente con disfagia orofaríngea, y puede ser utilizado en su diagnóstico y seguimiento. Sin embargo, no lo es como indicador de la tolerancia de la dieta oral

Introduction and objectives: The objective of this paper was to show our experience and considerations when quantifying hyoid bone displacement and to observe its correlation with the qualitative scales that evaluate dysphagia. Methods: Hyoid displacement was assessed using the method described by Molfenter and Steele's group in 2014 in a series of 14 patients affected by oropharyngeal dysphagia. The degree of dysphagia was also qualitatively assessed with the Rosenbek Penetration and Aspiration Scale (PAS) of 1996 and with the Functional Oral Intake Scale (FOIS) of Crary of 2005. All assessments were done before and after treatment. Results: All patients increased their hyoid bone total displacement after the treatment. These variations were highly correlated with the variations in the PAS scale with aspiration or penetration. However, the variations of hyoid bone displacement did not correlate with the FOIS scale. Conclusions: The improvement in total hyoid bone displacement is a clinical indicator of improved aspiration of patients suffering dysphagia. However, the improvement of this displacement is not related to the oral intake tolerance of the patients

The importance of the quantification of hyoid displacement in the evaluation of the score and evolution of oropharyngeal dysphagia. / Importancia de la cuantificación del desplazamiento hioideo en la valoración del estadio y evolución de la disfagia orofaríngea.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: The objective of this paper was to show our experience and considerations when quantifying hyoid bone displacement and to observe its correlation with the qualitative scales that evaluate dysphagia. METHODS: Hyoid displacement was assessed using the method described by Molfenter and Steele's group in 2014 in a series of 14 patients affected by oropharyngeal dysphagia. The degree of dysphagia was also qualitatively assessed with the Rosenbek Penetration and Aspiration Scale (PAS) of 1996 and with the Functional Oral Intake Scale (FOIS) of Crary of 2005. All assessments were done before and after treatment. RESULTS: All patients increased their hyoid bone total displacement after the treatment. These variations were highly correlated with the variations in the PAS scale with aspiration or penetration. However, the variations of hyoid bone displacement did not correlate with the FOIS scale. CONCLUSIONS: The improvement in total hyoid bone displacement is a clinical indicator of improved aspiration of patients suffering dysphagia. However, the improvement of this displacement is not related to the oral intake tolerance of the patients.