Approaches to treating dysphagia in patients with brain injury

Dysphagia and its treatment in patients with brain injury are multifactorial. Treatment provided should address each deficit area relevant to dysphagia and should be consistent with current trends and knowledge. This article describes the subskills that compose the ability to swallow and their treatment in patients with brain injury. The available literature describing treatment and its efficacy relevant to each subskill area is reviewed. Specific areas for documenting efficacy of occupational therapy interventions are described.