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Line spread as a visual clinical tool for thickened liquids
Annelise Masters Lund1, Jane Mertz Garcia, Edgar Chambers
1Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS, USA.
American Journal of Speech-Language Pathology
|July 2, 2013
Summary
Line spread is a simple visual method to ensure thickened liquids achieve the correct nectar-thick or honey-like consistency. This technique correlates well with viscometer measurements for accurate nutritional care.
Area of Science:
- Food Science
- Nutritional Science
- Biomedical Engineering
Background:
- Accurate liquid consistency is vital for patient nutritional care and safe swallowing.
- Thickened liquids are essential for individuals with dysphagia.
- Standardized methods for assessing liquid viscosity are needed in clinical practice.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the relationship between line spread measurements and viscometer data for thickened liquids.
- To determine if line spread can visually differentiate between nectar-thick and honey-like consistencies.
- To assess the utility of line spread as a practical tool for preparing thickened liquids.
Main Methods:
- Tested 32 product/liquid combinations using 4 thickeners and 6 liquids at serving temperatures.
- Measured liquid flow distance (line spread) and viscosity using a Brookfield viscometer (80-800 cP range).
- Analyzed data to find correlations between line spread and viscosity measurements.
Main Results:
- Line spread significantly differentiated nectar-thick from honey-like consistencies.
- A line spread value of 4.5 cm was identified as the threshold between nectar-thick and honey-like.
- An inverse correlation (-0.75) was observed between viscosity and line spread, indicating less flow with higher viscosity.
Conclusions:
- Line spread offers a quick, objective, and visual method for assessing thickened liquid consistency.
- This method can aid patients and caregivers in achieving accurate and consistent thickened liquid preparation.
- Line spread may serve as a valuable supplementary tool to viscometers in clinical settings.
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