Participant Characteristics for Dysphagia Research: A Proposed Checklist

Area of Science:

• Speech and Hearing Science
• Clinical Research Methodology

Background:

• Underreporting of participant characteristics in dysphagia research impacts understanding of swallowing impairments.
• Lack of standardized reporting hinders effective assessment and intervention for individuals with dysphagia.
• Need for rigorous and transparent reporting standards in swallowing research is critical.

Purpose of the Study:

• To outline essential participant characteristics for dysphagia research as part of the FRONTIERS tool.
• To develop a critical appraisal tool for improving the quality of dysphagia research.
• To enhance transparency and rigor in studies investigating swallowing disorders.

Main Methods:

• An exploratory literature review identified reporting practices for participant characteristics, eligibility criteria, and health/dysphagia definitions.
• Findings were cross-referenced with existing critical appraisal tools.
• A consensus-based list of questions for participant characteristics was iteratively refined by the FRONTIERS collaborative.

Main Results:

• The FRONTIERS tool includes a dedicated section on participant characteristics.
• This section comprises eight core questions with 16 potential subquestions.
• The tool provides rationales and examples for its application in dysphagia research.

Conclusions:

• Detailed participant characteristics are vital for understanding and serving diverse populations, including marginalized groups.
• The FRONTIERS critical appraisal tool can enhance the rigor and transparency of dysphagia research.
• Improved research quality ultimately contributes to better patient care for individuals with swallowing difficulties.