A Questionnaire Survey about the Use and Preparation of Test Foods for Videofluoroscopic Swallowing Examinations / The Japanese Journal of Rehabilitation Medicine

ABSTRACT

Objective: To understand how test foods used in videofluoroscopic swallowing examinations (VF) are prepared and used. Methods: A survey was conducted using participants in a workshop organized by the Japanese Association of Rehabilitation Medicine (October 27, 2012). Results: Among 129 participants, the survey collection rate was 48.8 %. The percentage who had conducted VF was 66.7 %. The test foods used were thickened liquid 97.6 %, jelly 92.9 %, and test foods other than liquid, thickened liquid or jelly were used by 64.3 %. A little less than 20 % answered that the test foods did not always or possibly did not always have the same physical property and texture. The contrast agents used in test foods were barium sulfate 50.0 %, amidotrizoic acid (Gastrografin^®) 33.3 % and iodinated contrast agent for angiography 7.1 %. Conclusions: In addition to thickened liquid and jelly, many solid test foods were also used. The uniformity and safety of these test foods and their properties need to be examined and considered in their preparation.