Critical Appraisals - Speech Therapy

What is the current evidence for stuttering/dysfluency treatment in people with a neurogenic stutter/dysfluency?

Cruz, C, Amorim, H, Beca, G & Nunes, R 2018, 'Neurogenic stuttering: a review of the literature', Revista de Neurología, vol. 66, pp. 59-64.

What are the differences in swallow physiology in patients with left and right hemispheric strokes?

Wilmskoetter, J, Martin-Harris, B, Pearson, W, Bonilha, L, Elm, J, Horn, J & Bonilha, H 2018, ‘Differences in swallow physiology in patients with left and right hemispheric strokes’, Physiology & behaviour, vol. 194, pp. 144-152.

Can water protocols improve dysphagia management outcomes?

Murray, J, Barker, A & Doeltgen, S 2018, ‘Just add water. Can water protocols improve dysphagia management outcomes?’, Journal of Clinical Practice in Speech Language Pathology, vol. 20, no. 3, pp. 129-131.

What have been the experiences of implementing standardized mouth cares and free water in metropolitan hospital rehabilitation unit's?

The experience of implementing standardized mouth cares and a free water protocol in a metropolitan hospital rehabilitation unit – Maria Schwarz, Inger Kwiecien, Anne Coccetti, and Elizabeth Cardell, 2018.

Is there an association between dysphagia and mortality in nursing home residents?

Wirth, R, Pourhassan, M, Streicher, M, Hiesmayr, M, Schindler, K, Sieber, C & Volkert, D 2018, ‘The impact of dysphagia on mortality of nursing home residents: Results from the nutritionDay project’, Journal of the American Medical Directors Association, vol. 19, no. 9, pp. 775–778. 

What is the current knowledge of dysphasia in frail older persons?

Rogus-Pulia, N, Wirth, R & Sloane, P 2018, ‘Dysphagia in frail older persons: Making the most of current knowledge’, Journal of the American Medical Directors Association, vol. 19, no. 9, pp. 736-740.

What evidence is there for speech-language pathologists in the management of dysphagia post-stroke?

Jones, O, Cartwright, J, Whitworth, A & Cocks, N 2018 ‘Dysphagia therapy post stroke: An exploration of the practices and clinical decision-making of speech-language pathologists in Australia’, International journal of speech-language pathology, vol. 20, no. 2, pp. 226-237.

What factors affect penetration and aspiration during swallowing across the adult lifespan?

Butler, S, Stuart, A, Markley, L, Feng, X & Kritchevsky, S 2018, 'Aspiration as a Function of Age, Sex, Liquid Type, Bolus Volume, and Bolus Delivery Across the Healthy Adult Life Span', Annals of Otology, Rhinology & Laryngology, vol. 127, no. 1, pp. 21-32.

What are the legal and ethical aspects of the Australian speech-language pathologist’s role in palliative dysphagia care?

Kelly, K, Cumming, S, Kenny, B, Smith-Merry, J & Bogaardt, H 2018, ‘Getting comfortable with “comfort feeding”: An exploration of legal and ethical aspects of the Australian speech-language pathologist’s role in palliative dysphagia care’, International Journal of Speech-Language Pathology, DOI: 10.1080/17549507.2018.1448895, pp.1-9.

What is the evidence for swallowing disorders in schizophrenia?

Kulkarni, D, Kamath, V, Stewart, J 2017, 'Swallowing disorders in schizophrenia', Dysphagia, vol. 32, no. 4, pp. 467-71.

Does expiratory muscle strength training improve swallowing and respiratory outcomes in people with dysphagia?

Brooks, M, McLaughlin, E, Shields, N 2017, 'Expiratory muscle strength training improves swallowing and respiratory outcomes in people with dysphagia: a systematic review', International Journal of Speech-Language Pathology, vol. 25, no. 1, pp. 1-3.

What is the inter-rater reliability of the of the Volume-Viscosity Swallow Test applied to elderly patients suspected of Oropharyngeal dysphagia admitted to geriatric or medical wards due to acute illness?

Jorgensen, L, Sondergaard, K, Melgaard, D & Warming, S 2017, ‘Interrater reliability of the Volume-Viscosity Swallow Test; screening for dysphagia among hospitalized elderly medical patients’, Clinical nutrition ESPEN, vol. 22, pp. 85-91.

What are the effects of expiratory muscle strength training on swallowing function in acute stroke patients with dysphagia?

Moon, J, Jung, J, Won, Y, Cho, H & Cho, K 2017, 'Effects of expiratory muscle strength training on swallowing function in acute stroke patients with dysphagia', Journal of physical therapy science, vol. 29, no. 4, pp. 609-612.

What are Speech Langauge Pathologists perceptions and experiences using SES in Videofluoroscopic Swallow Study clinics?

Turkington, L, Nund, R, Ward, E, Farrell, A, 'Exploring Current Sensory Enhancement Practices Within Videofluoroscopic Swallow Study (VFSS) Clinics', Dysphagia, vol. 32, no. 2, pp. 225-235.

What is the effectiveness of thermal tactile stimulation on labial/lip movements for people with dysarthria following stroke/acquired brain injury?

Malik, S, Khan, M, Ehsaan, F & Tul-Ain, Q, 2017, ‘Effectiveness of swallow manoeuvers, thermal stimulation and combination both in treatment of patients with dysphagia using functional outcome swallowing scale’, Biomedical Research, vol. 28, no. 4, pp. 1479-1482.

What are the benefits of tele-rehabilitation for delivering Speech Pathology communication intervention compared to face to face sessions for adults with communication impairment following neurological injury?

Meltzer J, Baird A, Steele R, Harvey S 2017, 'Computer-based treatment of poststroke language disorders: a non-inferiority study of tele-rehabilitation compared to in-person service delivery', Aphasiology, vol. 21, no. 1, pp. 1-22.

Does group communication therapy improve communication ability in patients with dysphasia/aphasia following stroke/acquired brain injury?

Brady, M, Kelly, H, Godwin, J, Enderby, P, Campbell, P, 2016, ‘Speech and Language Therapy for Aphasia Following Stroke’, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, no. 6.

What are the effects of expiratory muscle strength training on oropharyngeal dysphagia in subacute stroke patients? 

Park, J, Oh, D, Chang, M & Kim, K 2016, 'Effects of expiratory muscle strength training on oropharyngeal dysphagia in subacute stroke patients: a randomised controlled trial', Journal of oral rehabilitation, vol. 43, no. 5, pp. 364-372.

What can be done when people with Parkinsons Disease cannot take their usual oral medications?

Alty, J, Robson, J, Duggan-Carter, P, & Jamieson, S 2016, 'What to do when people with Parkinson's disease cannot take their usual oral medications', Practical neurology, vol. 16, no. 2, pp. 122-128.

What is the reliability and validity of cervical auscultation in the diagnosis of dysphagia?

Lagarde, M, Kamalski, D, Van Den Engel-Hoek L 2016, 'The reliability and validity of cervical auscultation in the diagnosis of dysphagia: A systematic review', Clinical rehabilitation, vol. 30, no. 2, pp. 199-207.

What is the role of speech-language pathologists in adult palliative care?

Chahda, L, Mathisen B, Carey L 2015, 'The role of speech-language pathologists in adult palliative care', International journal of speech-language pathology, vol. 19, no. 1, pp. 58-68.

What is the evidence for older people with dysphagia transitioning to texture-modified food?

Ullrich, S & Crichton, J 2015, ‘Older people with dysphagia: transitioning to texture-modified food’, British Journal of Nursing, vol. 24, no. 13, p. 686.

What is the effectiveness of telerehabilitation for conducting swallowing assessments for patients with acquired neurological dysphagia?

Ward, E & Burns, C 2014, 'Dysphagia management via telerehabilitation: A review of the current evidence', Journal of Gastroenterology and Hepatology Research, vol. 3, no. 5.

What are the physiological factors related to aspiration risk?

Steele, C & Cichero, J 2014, ‘Physiological Factors Related to Aspiration Risk: A Systematic Review’, Dysphagia, vol. 29, pp. 295–304.

What is the evidence for differential diagnosis between Children with Language Disorder versus Autism Spectrum Disorder?

Gibson, J, Adams, C, Lockton, E & Green, J 2013, 'Social communication disorder outside autism? A diagnostic classification approach to delineating pragmatic language impairment, high functioning autism and specific language impairment', Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry, vol. 54, no. 11, pp. 1186–1197.

What interventions can help improve/regain taste sensation?

Dutta, T, Josiah, A, Cronin, C, Wittenberg, G, Cole, J 2013, ‘Altered Taste and Stroke: A Case Report and Literature Review’, Top Stroke Rehabilitation, vol. 20, no. 1, pp. 78–86.

What is the evidence for oropharyngeal dysphagia in an elderly post-operative hip fracture population?

Love, A, Cornwell, P & Whitehouse, S 2013, ‘Oropharyngeal dysphagia in an elderly post-operative hip fracture population: a prospective cohort study’, Age and Ageing, vol. 42, pp. 782–785.

Do carbonated beverages have a different impact on swallowing function in comparison to thickened fluids for adults with dysphagia?

Sdravou, K, Walshe, M, Dagdilelis, L 2012, 'Effects of carbonated liquids on oropharyngeal swallowing measures in people with neurogenic dysphagia', Dysphagia, vol. 27, no. 2, pp. 240-50.

What are the symptoms of dysphagia in patients with COPD?

Chaves, R, Carvalho, C, Cukier, A, Stelmach, R & Andrade, C 2011, 'Symptoms of dysphagia in patients with COPD', Jornal Brasileiro de Pneumologia, vol. 37, no. 2, pp. 176-183.

What is the evidence for group therapy for patients with acquired communication disorders delivered via tele-rehabilitation/health?

Braden, C, Hawley, L., Newman, J, Morey, C, Gerber, D & Harrison-Felix, C 2010, 'Social communication skills group treatment: A feasibility study for persons with traumatic brain injury and comorbid conditions', Brain Injury, vol. 24, no. 11, pp. 1298-1310.

Is there a laryngectomy approach that prevents stomal stenosis?

Suzuki, M, Tsunoda, A, Shirakura, S, Sumi, T, Nishijima, W & Kishimoto, S 2010, ‘A novel permanent tracheostomy technique for prevention of stomal stenosis (triangular tracheostomy)’, Auris Nasus Larynx, vol. 37, pp. 465-468.

Does cognitive-communication intervention improve outcomes for patients with Traumatic/Acquired Brain Injury?

Macdonald, S & Wiseman-Hakes, C 2010, ‘Knowledge translation in ABI rehabilitation: a model for consolidating and applying the evidence for cognitive-communication interventions’, Brain Injury, vol. 24, no. 3, pp. 389-395.

In people with motor neuron disease, what effect does the time of insertion of PEG has on quality of life?

Katzberg, H & Benatar, M 2011, ‘Enteral tube feeding for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis/motor neuron disease’, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, Issue 1. No.:CD004030.

What role does a speech pathologist play in communication therapy of adults with Huntington's disease?

Giddens, C, Coleman, A & Adams, CE 2010, ‘A home program of speech therapy in Huntington’s Disease’, Journal of Medical Speech-Language Pathology, vol. 18, no. 2, pp. 1-9.

The incidence of dysphagia following endotracheal intubation: A systematic review

Skoretz, S, Flowers, H & Martino, R 2010, ‘The incidence of dysphagia following endotracheal intubation: A systematic review’, Chest, vol. 137, pp. 665-673.

Legal decision-making by people with aphasia: critical incidents for speech pathologists

Ferguson, A, Duffield, G & Worrall, L 2010, ‘Legal decision-making by people with aphasia: critical incidents for speech pathologists’, International Journal of Language & Communication Disorders, vol. 45, no. 2, pp. 244-258.

Does muscle structure and swallowing function improve in patients with head and neck cancer undergoing chemo-radiotherapy using preventative behavioural intervention?

Mann, G, Crary, M, Schmalfuss, I & Amdur, R 2012, ‘Pharyngocise : randomized controlled trial of preventative exercises to maintain muscle structure and swallowing function during head and neck chemotherapy’, International Journal of Radiation Oncology Biology Physics , vol. 83, no. 1 pp. 210-219.

What is the incidence and prevalence of upper oesophageal stenosis/stricture in patients with head and neck cancer treated with chemoradiation?

Ahleberg, A, al-Albany, M, Alevronta, E, Friesland, S, Hellborg, H, Mavroidis, P, Lind, B & Laurell, H 2010, ‘Esophageal stricture after radiotherapy in patients with head and neck cancer: experience of a single institution over 2 treatment periods’, Head and Neck, vol. 32 pp. 452-461.

Cough Reflex Testing in Dysphagia Following Stroke: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Miles, A, Zeng, I, McLauchlan, H & Huckabee, M 2013, ‘Cough Reflex Testing in Dysphagia Following Stroke: A Randomized Controlled Trial’, Journal of Clinical Medicine Research, vol. 5, no. 3, pp. 222-233.