The Relationship Between Spontaneous Swallowing Frequency and Clinical Measures of Swallowing in ALS
Open Access
Author:
Hirst, Grace
Area of Honors:
Communication Sciences and Disorders
Degree:
Bachelor of Science
Document Type:
Thesis
Thesis Supervisors:
Aarthi Madhavan (She/Her), Thesis Supervisor Carol Anne Miller, Thesis Honors Advisor
Keywords:
ALS Spontaneous Swallowing Frequency MASA EAT-10 ALSFRS-R Telemonitoring
Abstract:
This study is a preliminary investigation of spontaneous swallowing frequency (SSF) and its use as a remote swallowing evaluation tool in patients with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS). Via a mobile application on patients’ phones, weekly recordings of spontaneous swallowing at a home setting were sent in to be analyzed. Recordings were sent in for a total of six months. Spontaneous swallowing frequency is also compared to typical gold standard clinical evaluations used to monitor the swallowing abilities of patients. Gold standard assessments like the Modified Barium Swallow Study (MBSS) was completed at baseline and at the end of 6 months. Other clinical swallowing measures like the Eating Assessment Tool (EAT-10) and the Mann Assessment of Swallowing Ability (MASA) were given every twelve weeks. We hypothesized that spontaneous swallowing frequency will be closely associated with other measures of swallowing evaluation. A total of 5 participants were analyzed as a part of this work. Statistical analyses consisted of Spearman’s correlation and independent t-tests. Spontaneous swallowing frequency was found to be lower in individuals experiencing weight loss which could be a potential link for SSF being an indicator of dysphagia severity. Over the course of six months, the study was successful in collecting data on swallowing changes in ALS individuals from a home setting
