Kangaroo Stimulation Game in Tracheostomized Intensive Care-Related Dysphagia: Interventional Feasibility Study

Area of Science:

• Medical Technology
• Rehabilitation Medicine
• Intensive Care Medicine

Background:

• Dysphagia is a prevalent complication in intensive care unit (ICU) patients.
• Surface electromyography (sEMG) biofeedback offers a potential method for enhancing swallowing function.
• The Rephagia system utilizes sEMG to evaluate muscle performance in swallowing.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the feasibility of the Rephagia biofeedback system in ICU patients diagnosed with dysphagia.

Main Methods:

• A feasibility study was conducted in a mixed medical-surgical ICU.
• Participants were patients who received a tracheostomy due to persistent aspiration and ICU-acquired weakness.
• The Rephagia system was used for biofeedback training, followed by patient questionnaires and sEMG assessment of swallowing characteristics.

Main Results:

• Twenty patients (mean age 69.4 years) participated.
• No significant differences were observed in sEMG values from baseline to the final measurement.
• All patients experienced improvement in dysphagia, with high reported comprehension and motivation for the training.

Conclusions:

• The Rephagia biofeedback system is feasible for use in tracheotomized ICU patients with dysphagia.
• Clinical improvement in swallowing function was observed, independent of changes in sEMG signals.