Rehabilitation of Swallowing Disorders: The Basics to Get Started
Dysphagia is a major public health issue. Discover the fundamentals of the assessment and speech therapy management of swallowing disorders.
Swallowing disorders affect thousands of patients, from strokes to neurodegenerative diseases, including ENT pathologies. The speech therapist plays a central role in the assessment, rehabilitation, and adaptation of food intake to prevent potentially serious complications such as aspiration pneumonia.
🔬 Physiology of Swallowing
Swallowing is a complex act involving more than 30 muscles and several pairs of cranial nerves. It occurs in three successive phases, each of which can be the site of specific dysfunctions requiring adapted therapeutic approaches.
Oral Phase
Preparation of the bolus (chewing, salivation) followed by propulsion to the pharynx. Voluntary phase.
Pharyngeal Phase
Triggering of the reflex, closure of the airways, passage into the esophagus. Reflex phase.
Esophageal Phase
Progression of the bolus to the stomach by peristalsis. Automatic phase.
🏥 Main Etiologies
Neurological
Stroke, Parkinson's, ALS, MS, head injuries, brain tumors
ENT / Surgical
ENT cancers, laryngectomies, cervical surgeries, radiotherapy
Aging-related
Presbyphagia, sarcopenia, dementias, polypharmacy
💡 Presbyphagia vs Dysphagia
Presbyphagia refers to the physiological changes in swallowing related to normal aging (slowing down, decrease in strength). It is not a disorder in itself but weakens the patient against concurrent pathologies.
🚨 Warning Signs
Early detection of swallowing disorders is essential to prevent complications. Certain signs should immediately alert the clinician or those around the patient.
⚠️ Signs Suggestive of Dysphagia
- Coughing during or after meals (most common sign)
- Wet or gurgling voice after swallowing
- Drooling, lip leaks
- Extended meal time
- Food residue in the mouth after swallowing
- Unexplained weight loss
- Recurrent pneumonias
- Food refusal, fear of eating
- Dehydration
⚠️ Beware of Silent Aspiration
In some patients (especially neurological), silent aspirations can occur without a reflex cough. These silent aspirations are particularly dangerous as they go undetected clinically. Vigilance must be heightened in at-risk patients.
🔍 Clinical Assessment
The swallowing speech therapy assessment includes a detailed medical history, an examination of oro-facial structures, and food trials with different textures. It must be conducted under optimal safety conditions.
Components of the Assessment
💡 The Functional Capacity Test
After spoon-by-spoon trials, assess the patient's ability to drink from a glass continuously. This more demanding test reveals difficulties not detected during small volumes. To be performed only if preliminary trials are safe.
🍽️ Texture Adaptation
Adapting food textures is often the first measure to ensure meal safety. The IDDSI (International Dysphagia Diet Standardisation Initiative) classification provides a standardized international reference.
Thin to slightly thick liquids
Still water, lightly thickened water. For patients with good control of the liquid bolus. Risk of aspiration if there is a propulsion disorder.
Moderately to very thick liquids
Nectar to honey consistency. Slows down flow, allows more time to trigger the reflex. Indicated if there is a delay in triggering the pharyngeal reflex.
Smooth pureed (mashed)
Homogeneous texture without chunks. Does not require chewing. For major oral phase disorders.
Finely chopped to tender
Small melting pieces. Requires minimal chewing. Step towards normal texture.
Normal texture
Standard diet without modification. Rehabilitation goal when possible.
🪑 Safety Postures
Forward Flexion
Chin to chest. Protects the airways, widens the valleculae. Most commonly used posture.
Head Rotation
Head turned to the affected side. Closes the damaged piriform sinus, directs the bolus to the healthy side.
Lateral Inclination
Head tilted to the healthy side. Uses gravity to direct the bolus to the functional side.
💡 Meal Setup
Beyond head postures, the overall setup is crucial: patient well seated, back straight, feet on the floor, table at the right height. Avoid eating lying down or semi-reclined unless otherwise indicated. Maintain the sitting position for 30 minutes after the meal.
🎯 Complementary Cognitive Stimulation
DYNSEO applications support the overall management of dysphagic patients, particularly for maintaining cognitive functions. EDITH and JOE offer exercises tailored for adults and seniors.
Discover our tools →💪 Rehabilitation Techniques
Analytical Rehabilitation
- Lip Strengthening: Resistance exercises, maintaining pressures
- Lingual Mobility: Directed praxies, counter-resistance
- Velar Work: Breathing exercises, oral/nasal productions
- Sensory Stimulation: Thermal, tactile, gustatory stimulations
Protective Maneuvers
- Supraglottic Swallowing: Voluntary apnea before and during swallowing, cough afterward
- Super-Supraglottic Swallowing: Apnea with pushing effort
- Mendelsohn Maneuver: Maintaining laryngeal elevation
- Effortful Swallowing: Maximum contraction during swallowing
Functional Rehabilitation
- Gradual resumption of food intake with adapted textures
- Progressive increase in volumes and variety
- Work on autonomy during meals
- Education of the patient and caregivers
👥 Multidisciplinary Teamwork
The management of dysphagia is part of a multidisciplinary approach involving many professionals with complementary skills.
Doctors
ENT, neurologist, geriatrician, rehabilitation physician for etiological diagnosis and follow-up
Dietitian
Nutrition adaptation, prevention of malnutrition, enrichment
Care Team
Nurses and nursing assistants for meal monitoring and implementation of guidelines
🎯 Conclusion
Managing swallowing disorders requires rigorous assessment, personalized adaptations, and progressive rehabilitation. The speech therapist occupies a central role in this process, from the initial assessment to functional rehabilitation.
Preventing complications (pneumonias, malnutrition, dehydration) is the primary objective, while improving quality of life and enjoyment of food remains at the heart of the therapeutic approach.
Swallowing, a vital act to protect:
DYNSEO supports the comprehensive management of your patients.
