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Published on: March 1, 2015
Telepractice for pediatric Dysphagia: a case study
Georgia A Malandraki1, Melissa Roth2, Justine Joan Sheppard1
1Department Of Biobehavioral Sciences, Program of Speech and Language Pathology, Teachers College, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA ; Dysphagia Research Clinic, Edward D. Mysak Clinic for Communication Disorders, Teachers College, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA.
Insights
This case report shows a pediatric telepractice program significantly improved swallowing and quality of life for a child with Opitz BBB/G syndrome, dysphagia, and aerophagia. Skills were maintained one month post-intervention.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Medicine
- Telehealth
- Swallowing Disorders
Background:
- Pediatric dysphagia and aerophagia present significant challenges.
- Telepractice offers a novel approach to delivering specialized interventions.
- Opitz BBB/G syndrome and Asperger's Syndromes can co-occur with feeding and swallowing difficulties.
Purpose of the Study:
- To report on the feasibility and effectiveness of a closed-ended intensive pediatric swallowing telepractice program.
- To evaluate changes in behavioral, swallowing, and quality of life variables in a pediatric patient.
- To assess skill retention following the telepractice intervention.
Main Methods:
- A case report design was utilized.
- A four-week intensive telepractice program focused on swallowing was implemented.
- Outcome variables were assessed at baseline, post-intervention, and at a one-month follow-up.
Main Results:
- The patient showed substantial improvements in oral acceptance of food and objects.
- Significant enhancements were observed in the timing of saliva swallows and reduced aerophagia.
- Quality of life improved, with skills largely retained or further enhanced at follow-up.
Conclusions:
- Intensive pediatric swallowing telepractice is a feasible and effective intervention model.
- Telepractice can successfully address behavioral, swallowing, and quality of life issues in pediatric dysphagia.
- This approach holds promise for improving outcomes in children with complex feeding and swallowing disorders.
Abstract:
A closed-ended intensive pediatric swallowing telepractice program was developed and piloted in one pediatric patient with Opitz BBB/G and Asperger's Syndromes, oropharyngeal dysphagia and aerophagia. The present study is a case report. Outcome variables included behavioral, swallowing and quality of life variables, and were assessed at baseline and at the end of the four-week program. Selective variables were also assessed at a follow-up family interview four weeks post program completion. Over the four-week intervention period, the patient demonstrated substantial improvements in: oral acceptance of eating-related objects and a variety of foods (behavioral variable), timing of voluntary saliva swallows and aerophagia levels (swallowing variables) and quality of life. Follow-up interview analysis showed that most skills were retained or improved one-month post intervention. This intensive telepractice program proved to be feasible and effective for this pediatric patient with dysphagia.
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