How, and to what end, is the WHO-ICF framework represented in physiotherapy? Insights from a qualitative research synthesis.

BACKGROUND: It has been two decades since the World Health Organization's endorsement of the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF). It is timely to undertake a rigorous search that analyzes the discourses around the ICF's conceptual framework within physiotherapy, the kinds of enquiry to date and the professional areas where this is happening and how. PURPOSE: The aim of this research is to synthesize the literature related to how the physiotherapy profession (practice, research and education) thinks about and puts to use the WHO ICF. RESULTS: A final sample of 37 papers was agreed. Five overarching third-order interpretations were derived: (i) A way of thinking and practicing, (ii) Endorsed but not embedded, (iii) Striking a balance, (iv) Power of participation and (v) Moving forward. Together, these themes illustrate the evolving role of the ICF in physiotherapy over the previous two decades. They highlight the ICF's potential for shaping the future of physiotherapy practice, education and research. CONCLUSIONS: Work is needed to connect existing literature about the ICF and related models and embed the ICF, its language and philosophy across physiotherapy education and practice. Re-representation of the model might help address misinterpretation of the ICF, but fundamentally, embedding the ICF in entry-level curriculum is likely to be the most significant driver of change in practice.

Modulation of pharyngeal swallowing by bolus volume and viscosity.

Oropharyngeal swallowing involves complex neuromodulation to accommodate changing bolus characteristics. The pressure events during deglutitive pharyngeal reconfiguration and bolus flow can be assessed quantitatively using high-resolution pharyngeal manometry with impedance. An 8-French solid-state unidirectional catheter (32 pressure sensors, 16 impedance segments) was used to acquire triplicate swallows of 3 to 20 ml across three viscosity levels using a Standardized Bolus Medium (SBMkit) product (Trisco, Pty. Ltd., Australia). An online platform (https://swallowgateway.com/; Flinders University, South Australia) was used to semiautomate swallow analysis. Fifty healthy adults (29 females, 21 males; mean age 46 yr; age range 19-78 yr old) were studied. Hypopharyngeal intrabolus pressure, upper esophageal sphincter (UES) maximum admittance, UES relaxation pressure, and UES relaxation time revealed the most significant modulation effects to bolus volume and viscosity. Pharyngeal contractility and UES postswallow pressures elevated as bolus volumes increased. Bolus viscosity augmented UES preopening pressure only. We describe the swallow modulatory effects with quantitative methods in line with a core outcome set of metrics and a unified analysis system for broad reference that contributes to diagnostic frameworks for oropharyngeal dysphagia.NEW & NOTEWORTHY The neuromodulation of the healthy oropharyngeal swallow response was described in relation to bolus volume and viscosity challenges, using intraluminal pressure and impedance topography methods. Among a wide range of physiological measures, those indicative of distension pressure, luminal opening, and flow timing were most significantly altered by bolus condition, and therefore can be considered to be potential markers of swallow neuromodulation. The study methods and associated findings inform a diagnostic framework for swallow assessment in patients with oropharyngeal dysphagia.

Twelve tips for teaching the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health with a view to enhancing a biopsychosocial approach to care.

The World Health Organization International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health has the power to shape professional behaviour and positively influence all aspects of health and social care practice. The visual depiction of the ICF framework belies the complexity of this multifaceted classification and coding system which students and practitioners can find challenging to grasp. This guide offers twelve integrated practical tips to help health and social care educators embed the ICF throughout the curriculum with a view to supporting student learning and ultimately interprofessional and inclusive practice.

Embedding the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health in Health Professions Curricula to Enable Interprofessional Education and Collaborative Practice.

The World Health Organization's International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (WHO-ICF) is a comprehensive and highly adaptable framework that provides a universal language and shared health concepts to articulate human functioning across the lifespan and from individual to population health settings. It provides a global, biopsychosocial, and holistic structure for conceptualising the human experience of health and health service provision. Consequently, the ICF framework offers hope for a universal map for health service providers that bridges professional, cultural, economic, and geographical variations. While the use of the ICF is typically mandated by health professions accreditation bodies, integration of the ICF in medical and health professional education programmes has been slow. In addition, its potential for scaffolding interprofessional education for collaborative practice has not been maximised. In this Perspective paper, we draw on our extensive experience in developing curricula and teaching within a range of health professions programmes (medicine, occupational therapy, physiotherapy, and speech-language pathology) to provide advice on conceptual, theoretical, and practical dimensions of embedding the ICF framework within curricula to support interprofessional education and collaborative practice.

"A way to think of the client holistically": Factors influencing speech-language pathology students' ICF regard and uptake.

This article was migrated. The article was marked as recommended. Adoption of the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) may facilitate holistic delivery of health and social care and improve interprofessional practice, however there is limited uptake across the spectrum of health professions, including speech-language pathology (SLP). Improved commitment will partially depend on student education, yet related educational research is scant. Method In order to inform teaching, learning and future research practices, this exploratory mixed methods investigation surveyed 101 student speech-language pathologists to describe how the ICF is regarded and used, and factors contributing to its acceptance. Results As with their professional colleagues, SLP student uptake of the ICF was limited. Those who used the ICF applied the framework and terminology alone, rather than its classification, coding or core set features, for client-centred rather than management tasks. Similarly, students appreciated the ICF for its ability to foster holistic practice, rather than its capacity to enhance workplace communication, a key factor in interprofessional practice. Statistical analysis of responses to scaled survey questions revealed the most valued learning experiences, especially case studies, lectures, ICF application in university assignments and on placement. Survey responses were significantly influenced by two factors: number of student placements and whether or not students had only a paediatric placement. Thematic analysis of open responses revealed two principal and one secondary theme: "ICF framework as a way of thinking"; "experiential learning optimises application of the ICF"; and "rudimentary understanding restricts ICF uptake". Discussion Findings are discussed in relation to a proposed Transition from Theory to Practice model. Explicit integration of a biopsychosocial approach to practice across the curriculum should result in deeper understanding of the ICF, increased ability to apply it to interprofessional practice and, importantly, a greater sense of agency to effect change.

Piecemeal Deglutition and the Implications for Pressure Impedance Dysphagia Assessment in Pediatrics.

OBJECTIVES: High-resolution impedance manometry (HRIM) enables biomechanical swallow assessment. Piecemeal deglutition (PD) defines swallowing of a single bolus in 2 or more portions. We investigated PD sequences on HRIM recordings to ascertain appropriate swallow selection for analysis and to determine the impact of PD on swallow function measures. METHODS: Pharyngo-esophageal motility and bolus flow were assessed in 27 children (19 M, mean age 15 months) with repaired esophageal atresia and trachea-esophageal fistula, but who were asymptomatic of oropharyngeal dysphagia. A consistent volume of between 2 and 5 mL saline boluses was given to each patient. Retrospectively, PD sequences were defined based on the number of swallows required to clear the bolus from the oral cavity: pattern A = 1-2 swallows; pattern B = 3 swallows; and pattern C = 4+ swallows. The largest bolus volume swallowed was noted as the dominant swallow in each pattern. Pressure Flow Analysis defined contractility, distension and flow timing metrics. Data were averaged for each PD pattern, and compared with dominant swallows from each pattern. RESULTS: PD pattern B (43.7%) was the most prevalent across the cohort. PD patterns were similarly distributed across age groups (G1: <1 years, G2: 1-4 years). Differences in upper esophageal sphincter distension and pharyngeal flow timing measures were, however, seen in relation to both age and PD pattern, whereby a larger pharynx in older children elicited greater distension for a longer latency, and for larger volumes. CONCLUSIONS: PD reduces bolus volume, and biomechanical swallow measures are impacted. PD is a necessary consideration for accurate HRIM analysis of swallow function. Selection of dominant swallows from a PD sequence provides a swallow profile which best represents a child's swallow function, and should always be reported and interpreted in context of the PD sequence observed.

Factors Contributing to Hydration, Fluid Intake and Health Status of Inpatients With and Without Dysphagia Post Stroke.

Dysphagia has been strongly associated with poor hydration in acute stroke settings. However, in sub-acute settings, the contribution to dehydration of dysphagia in combination with other common stroke comorbidities has not been explored. The aim of this study was to investigate which demographic and stroke comorbidities, including dysphagia, contribute most significantly to oral fluid intake, hydration status and specific adverse health outcomes for patients in sub-acute rehabilitation following stroke. Data from 100 inpatients from three Australian rehabilitation facilities (14 with confirmed dysphagia and 86 without dysphagia) were analysed. Hierarchical multiple regressions were conducted to determine which demographic or stroke comorbidities were most predictive of each outcome: average daily fluid intake; Blood urea nitrogen/creatinine (BUN/Cr) ratio as an index of hydration and medically diagnosed adverse events of pneumonia, dehydration, urinary tract infection or constipation. Average daily beverage intake (M = 1448 ml, SD 369 ml) was significantly and independently predicted by Functional Independence Measure (FIM) at admission (F change = 9.212, p = 0.004). BUN/Cr ratio (M = 20, SD 5.16) was predicted only by age (F change = 4.026, p = 0.049). Adverse health events, diagnosed for 20% of participants, were significantly predicted by Admission FIM (OR 1.040, 95% CI 1.001, 1.081, p = 0.047). Dysphagia was not a significant predictor of any of the outcomes measured. Rather, overall functional dependency was the most significant predictor of poor oral fluid intake and fluid-related adverse health outcomes in sub-acute stroke. Clinical Trial number: Data for the post hoc analysis presented in this article came from the registered trial ACTRN12610000752066.

Characterization of swallow modulation in response to bolus volume in healthy subjects accounting for catheter diameter.

OBJECTIVES/HYPOTHESIS: Characterization of the pharyngeal swallow response to volume challenges is important for swallowing function assessment. The diameter of the pressure-impedance recording catheter may influence these results. In this study, we captured key physiological swallow measures in response to bolus volume utilizing recordings acquired by two catheters of different diameter. STUDY DESIGN: Ten healthy adults underwent repeat investigations with 8- and 10-Fr catheters. Liquid bolus swallows of volumes 2.5, 5, 10, 20, and 30 mL were recorded. Measures indicative of distension, contractility, and flow timing were assessed. METHODS: Pressure-impedance recordings with pressure-flow analysis were used to capture key distension, contractility, and pressure-flow timing parameters. RESULTS: Larger bolus volumes increased upper esophageal sphincter distension diameter (P < .001) and distension pressures within the hypopharynx and upper esophageal sphincter (P < .05). Bolus flow timing measures were longer, particularly latency of bolus propulsion ahead of the pharyngeal stripping wave (P < .001). Use of a larger-diameter catheter produced higher occlusive pressures, namely upper esophageal sphincter basal pressure (P < .005) and upper esophageal sphincter postdeglutitive pressure peak (P < .001). CONCLUSIONS: The bolus volume swallowed changed measurements indicative of distension pressure, luminal diameter, and pressure-flow timing; this is physiologically consistent with swallow modulation to accommodate larger, faster-flowing boluses. Additionally, catheter diameter predominantly affects lumen occlusive pressures. Appropriate physiological interpretation of the pressure-impedance recordings of pharyngeal swallowing requires consideration of the effects of volume and catheter diameter. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: NA. Laryngoscope, 128:1328-1334, 2018.

An oral hygiene protocol improves oral health for patients in inpatient stroke rehabilitation.

THE OBJECTIVE: To determine whether a simple oral hygiene protocol improves the oral health of inpatients in stroke rehabilitation. THE BACKGROUND DATA DISCUSSING THE PRESENT STATUS OF THE FIELD: Poor oral health can lead to serious complications, such as pneumonia. The comorbidities associated with stroke, such as dysphagia, hemiparesis and cognitive impairment, can further impede independent oral care. International stroke guidelines recommend routine oral care but stop short of detailing specific regimes. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The oral health assessment tool (OHAT) was conducted by speech-language pathologists with 100 patients with and without dysphagia in three metropolitan inpatient stroke rehabilitation facilities. A simple nurse-led oral hygiene regime was then implemented with all participants, which included twice daily tooth brushing and mouth rinsing after lunch, and oral health was measured again one week later. RESULTS: Initially, dysphagia was negatively associated with OHAT scores, and independence for oral hygiene was positively associated with oral health. After one week of a simple oral hygiene regime, the OHAT scores available for 89 participants indicated an improvement on average for all participants. In particular, 59% of participants with dysphagia had an improvement of 1 or more points. None of the participants developed pneumonia. CONCLUSION: A simple, inexpensive oral hygiene regime resulted in positive outcomes for patients with and without dysphagia in inpatient stroke rehabilitation settings. Oral health assessments and oral hygiene regimes that are simple to implement by the interdisciplinary team can be incorporated into standard stroke care with positive effect.

Biomechanical Quantification of Mendelsohn Maneuver and Effortful Swallowing on Pharyngoesophageal Function.

Objective To quantify the effects of 2 swallowing maneuvers used in dysphagia rehabilitation-the Mendelsohn maneuver and effortful swallowing-on pharyngoesophageal function with novel, objective pressure-flow analysis. Study Design Evaluation of intervention effects in a healthy control cohort. Setting A pharyngoesophageal motility research laboratory in a tertiary education facility. Subjects Twelve young healthy subjects (9 women, 28.6 ± 7.9 years) from the general public, without swallowing impairment, volunteered to participate in this study. Methods Surface electromyography from the floor-of-mouth musculature and high-resolution impedance manometry-based pressure flow analysis were used to assess floor-of-mouth activation and pharyngoesophageal motility, respectively. Subjects each performed 10 noneffortful control swallows, Mendelsohn maneuver swallows, and effortful swallows, with a 5-mL viscous bolus. Repeated measures analyses of variance was used to compare outcome measures across conditions. Results Effortful and Mendelsohn swallows generated greater floor-of-mouth contraction ( P = .001) and pharyngeal pressure ( P < .0001) when compared with control swallows. There were no changes at the level of the upper esophageal sphincter, except for a faster opening to maximal diameter during maneuver swallows ( P = .01). The proximal esophageal contractile integral was reduced during Mendelsohn swallows ( P = .001). Conclusion Effortful and Mendelsohn maneuver swallows significantly alter the pharyngoesophageal pressure profile. Faster opening of the upper esophageal sphincter may facilitate bolus transfer during maneuver swallows; however, reduced proximal esophageal contractility during Mendelsohn maneuver swallows may impair bolus flow and aggravate dysphagic symptoms.

Coding of significant comorbidities and complications for stroke in rehabilitation.

BACKGROUND: Comorbidities and complications of stroke have implications for level of care and hospital resources. It is critical, therefore, that hospital morbidity data accurately reflect the prevalence of these additional diagnoses. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to measure and describe the concordance between stroke clinicians/researchers and medical record coders when recording stroke and related diagnoses. METHOD: Diagnoses recorded prospectively, according to defined criteria by a clinical research team, were compared with the coding of stroke comorbidities and complications as per the Australian Coding Standards (ACS) from the separations of 100 inpatients from three rehabilitation facilities in South Australia. Percentage agreement, kappa coefficient, sensitivity and specificity values were calculated. RESULTS: Kappa coefficients for agreement of prospective diagnoses with coding ranged from 0.08 to 0.819. The diagnoses with the highest agreement were stroke, aspiration pneumonia (nil cases), aphasia and dysphagia. The diagnoses with the lowest agreement were apraxia, cognitive impairment, constipation and dehydration. CONCLUSION: Not all stroke comorbidities are represented accurately in hospital morbidity datasets. Education of stroke clinicians about the current ACS may clarify expectations about medical record documentation for coding purposes which in turn may result in more accurate morbidity data and therefore costings for the rehabilitation sector.

Pressure-Flow Analysis for the Assessment of Pediatric Oropharyngeal Dysphagia.

OBJECTIVES: To determine which objective pressure-impedance measures of pharyngeal swallowing function correlated with clinically assessed severity of oropharyngeal dysphagia (OPD) symptoms. STUDY DESIGN: Forty-five children with OPD and 34 control children without OPD were recruited and up to 5 liquid bolus swallows were recorded with a solid-state high-resolution manometry with impedance catheter. Individual measures of pharyngeal and upper esophageal sphincter (UES) function and a swallow risk index composite score were derived for each swallow, and averaged data for patients with OPD were compared with those of control children without OPD. Clinical severity of OPD symptoms and oral feeding competency was based on the validated Dysphagia Disorders Survey and Functional Oral Intake Scale. RESULTS: Those objective measures that were markers of UES relaxation, UES opening, and pharyngeal flow resistance differentiated patients with and without OPD symptoms. Patients demonstrating abnormally high pharyngeal intrabolus pressures and high UES resistance, markers of outflow obstruction, were most likely to have signs and symptoms of overt Dysphagia Disorders Survey (OR 9.24, P = .05, and 9.7, P = .016, respectively). CONCLUSION: Pharyngeal motor patterns can be recorded in children by the use of HRIM and pharyngeal function can be defined objectively with the use of pressure-impedance measures. Objective measurements suggest that pharyngeal dysfunction is common in children with clinical signs of OPD. A key finding of this study was evidence of markers of restricted UES opening.

Does a Water Protocol Improve the Hydration and Health Status of Individuals with Thin Liquid Aspiration Following Stroke? A Randomized Controlled Trial.

The benefit of water protocols for individuals with thin liquid aspiration remains controversial, with mixed findings from a small number of randomized controlled trials (RCTs). This study aimed to contribute to the evidence of the effectiveness of water protocols with a particular emphasis on health outcomes, especially hydration. An RCT was conducted with patients with known thin liquid aspiration post stroke randomized to receiving thickened liquids only or a water protocol. For the 14 participants in rehabilitation facilities whose data proceeded to analysis, there was no difference in the total amount of beverages consumed between the water protocol group (mean = 1103 ml per day, SD = 215 ml) and the thickened liquids only group (mean = 1103 ml, SD = 247 ml). Participants in the water protocol group drank on average 299 ml (SD 274) of water but offset this by drinking less of the thickened liquids. Their hydration improved over time compared with participants in the thickened liquids only group, but differences between groups were not significant. Twenty-one percent of the total sample was diagnosed with dehydration, and no participants in either group were diagnosed with pneumonia. There were significantly more diagnoses of urinary tract infection in the thickened liquids only group compared to the water protocol group (χ (2) = 5.091, p = 0.024), but no differences between groups with regard to diagnoses of dehydration (χ (2) = 0.884, p = 0.347) or constipation (χ (2) = 0.117, p = 0.733). The findings reinforce evidence about the relative safety of water protocols for patients in rehabilitation post stroke and provide impetus for future research into the potential benefits for hydration status and minimizing adverse health outcomes.

A Descriptive Study of the Fluid Intake, Hydration, and Health Status of Rehabilitation Inpatients without Dysphagia Following Stroke.

Adequate hydration is important for all people, particularly when hospitalized with illness. Individuals with dysphagia following stroke are considered to be at risk of inadequate fluid intake and, therefore, dehydration, but there is little information about the fluid intake or hydration of individuals without dysphagia poststroke. This cohort study measured the average beverage intake, calculated the urea/creatinine ratio as a measure of hydration, and documented specific health outcomes of 86 people without dysphagia poststroke who were inpatients in rehabilitation centers. Participants drank on average 1504 ml per day (SD 359 ml), which typically represented 67% of their estimated daily requirement. Approximately 44% of the participants in the sample were dehydrated based on a blood urea nitrogen/creatinine ratio >20:1. Sixteen percent of participants were diagnosed with one or more of the health outcomes of dehydration/hypernatremia, urinary tract infection, or constipation. A greater level of dependence was associated with poorer beverage intake and higher risk of an adverse health outcome. Those in the older/elderly age range (particularly older women) and those with poor mobility were most at risk of poor hydration. This study highlights that patients in rehabilitation facilities poststroke, even without dysphagia, may be at risk of suboptimal fluid intake and hydration.

A survey of thickened fluid prescribing and monitoring practices of Australian health professionals.

RATIONALE, AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to describe (1) how thickened fluids are supplied to clients with dysphagia; (2) how clients' consumption of thickened fluids and hydration status is monitored; and (3) the impact of institutional factors on thickened fluid intake and hydration in Australian health care settings. METHODS: Speech pathologists, dietitians and nurses working in Australian health care settings were asked to voluntarily participate in an online survey that was advertised through their respective professional associations. The questions required a self-report of their practice with respect to thickened fluids. RESULTS: Few health care facilities (17%) monitored thickened fluid consumption routinely even though, in the opinion of 51% the respondents, clients on thickened fluids at their facility do not drink enough. Palatability of the thickened fluid products and patients' dependence on others for drinking were thought to have a major impact on fluid intake. Respondents also highlighted institutional factors such as inadequate assistance from staff and inconsistent systems for monitoring fluid intake and signs of dehydration. The most common way to address inadequate intake was for nurses to 'push fluids' (87%). Free water protocols were used only 14% of the time and setting small oral fluid targets throughout the day was the least common strategy (11%). CONCLUSIONS: There is a need for Australian health care facilities to educate all clinical staff about the risks of dehydration and develop clinical pathways for clients with dysphagia, which include routine monitoring of oral fluid consumption and dehydration and timely intervention.

The perceived importance of anatomy and neuroanatomy in the practice of speech-language pathology.

The purpose of this study was to examine the application of anatomy and neuroanatomy knowledge to current practice of speech-language pathology (SLP), based on the perceptions of practicing SLPs, and to elicit information on participants' experiences of learning these subjects in their primary SLP degree with a view to inform potential curriculum development. A qualitative approach was taken to the collection of data. Eight practicing SLPs from four settings were interviewed. The critical incident technique, together with further probing, was used to elicit information. Interviews were transcribed and later thematically analyzed. This study found that knowledge of anatomy and neuroanatomy was perceived to be important by SLPs across all settings, to varying degrees, with a greater application in acute hospital settings. Negative experiences in studying this material were reported across all settings regardless of country of study. Participants discussed ways to increase students' motivation to learn this challenging material. Relevance of material demanded by students may be enhanced if active learning methods were used to teach anatomy/neuroanatomy, including case-based learning and with vertical and horizontal integration of material to provide a cohesive, spiral curriculum.

Intake of thickened liquids by hospitalized adults with dysphagia after stroke.

There is widespread concern that individuals with dysphagia as a result of stroke do not drink enough fluids when they are prescribed thickened liquids. This paper details a retrospective audit of thickened liquid consumption of 69 individuals with dysphagia following stroke in acute and rehabilitation hospitals in Adelaide, South Australia. Hospitalized individuals with dysphagia following stroke drank a mean of 781 ml (SD = 507 ml) of prescribed thickened liquids per day, significantly less in the acute setting (M = 519 ml, SD = 305 ml) than in the rehabilitation setting (M = 1274 ml, SD = 442 ml) (t(67) = -8.34, p < .001). This daily intake of thickened liquids was lower than recommended standards of fluid intake for hospitalized adults. Fluid intake could be increased with definitive protocols for the provision and monitoring of consumption of thickened liquids, by offering more fluid via food or free water protocols or by routine use of non-oral supplementary routes. Future research into the effectiveness of such recommendations needs to evaluate not only the impact on fluid intake but also on health outcomes.

Not feeding, not coming home: parental experiences of infant feeding difficulties and family relationships in a neonatal unit.

AIM: This study had two main objectives: (1) to describe the experiences of parents who had a child in the Flinders Medical Centre neonatal unit with a feeding difficulty at 36 weeks gestational age and (2) to develop a preliminary model from the data as an account of the parents' experiences to identify considerations for future and current neonatal unit staff. BACKGROUND: Family centred care is an important part of nursing practice. Research looking individually at the neonatal unit experience and childhood feeding difficulties has found that they can be stressful situations for parents. However, very little research has been conducted into parental experiences of feeding infants in a neonatal unit and there is no known research which has specifically looked at the effect on parents of having a child with a feeding difficulty in a neonatal unit. DESIGN: A qualitative phenomenological research design was employed. METHOD: Nine parents whose children had feeding difficulties while in the Flinders Medical Centre neonatal unit, South Australia, participated via retrospective in-depth interviews. RESULTS: Responses were coded to describe parents' experiences and a preliminary model was proposed to explain the data. The main theme linking parental experiences was the desire to take the baby home. The feeding difficulty prevented this from occurring, shifting the feeding interaction from one of relationship development to one of weight gain. CONCLUSION: This research identifies trigger points that may be acted on to encourage positive parent-child feeding interactions. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE: Family centred care is encouraged in paediatric nursing practice. This research identifies trigger points which may inform clinical practice involving parents of infants with feeding difficulties.