Exploring Current Sensory Enhancement Practices Within Videofluoroscopic Swallow Study (VFSS) Clinics

Area of Science:

• Clinical Swallowing Disorders
• Speech-Language Pathology
• Diagnostic Imaging

Background:

• Sensory enhancement strategies (SES) offer potential benefits for dysphagia management.
• Limited understanding exists regarding the clinical application and selection drivers of SES during instrumental assessments.
• SES involve modifying food/fluid properties like temperature, flavor, texture, chemesthetics, and bolus size.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore the utilization of SES within Australian Videofluoroscopic Swallow Study (VFSS) clinics serving adult populations.
• To identify the influencing drivers affecting the selection and application of SES during VFSS.

Main Methods:

• Qualitative methodology employing semi-structured interviews (focus groups or teleconferences) with speech-language pathologists (SLPs).
• Maximum variation sampling across 16 VFSS clinics in metropolitan and regional Australian settings.
• Content analysis of interview transcripts to identify themes related to SES use.

Main Results:

• Four key themes emerged influencing SES use: patient factors, clinician factors, planning/organization of trials, and organizational barriers.
• An overarching theme revealed extensive variations in SES procedures across different clinical settings.
• Significant diversity in SES application complicates the alignment of clinical purpose and practice implementation among VFSS clinicians.

Conclusions:

• Varied implementation of SES in dysphagia management necessitates addressing organizational issues and clinician training.
• Further research is required to establish a robust evidence base for informing clinical practice in SES use.
• Standardization of SES protocols within VFSS is challenging due to current diversity in application.