Article Highlights First report of EMST intervention after supracricoid partial laryngectomy (SCPL). The clinical pilot study was undertaken to determine the safety and efficacy of a 4-week treatment program Most participants found the device easy to use and beneficial Demonstrated improvement in two measures: Increase in peak cough flow and decrease on the Dyspnea index…
Article Highlights Expiratory strengthening may be a novel therapeutic target to improve airway protection in this population Data suggest functional improvements in swallowing safety in chronic radiation-associated aspirators Maximum Expiratory Pressures (MEP) were reduced in chronic radiation-associated aspirators Reference Hutcheson, Katherine A., et al. “Expiratory Muscle Strength Training for Radiation-Associated Aspiration after Head and Neck…
Article Highlights A mild‐to‐moderate intensity, EMST program was well tolerated in individuals with early ALS. The program resulted in significant improvements in Maximum Expiratory Pressures (MEP) and oral intake, as well as maintenance of peak cough flow and swallowing function. Further studies are warranted to validate these findings and to investigate the long‐term impact of…
Article Highlights Applying a short-term EMST program may improve sleep quality but also reduce sleep apnea symptoms in patients with mild to moderate OSA. This study demonstrates that when patients with mild-to-moderate OSA participate in a 5-week EMST program, their sleep apnea severity, sleep quality, and respiratory muscle strength are improved. Reference Kuo, Yu-Chi, et…
Introduction The relationship between cough and swallowing function is undeniable. Although cough function has only recently garnered significant research attention in the field of dysphagia management, it has long played a significant role in the clinical practice of the Speech-Language Pathologist (SLP). For example, when we as SLPs complete a clinical bedside swallowing evaluation we…
Early on in my career, I was drawn to the wondrous world of swallowology. I have always been amazed with the intricacy of the neural muscular underpinnings of deglutition and the power of neural plasticity through rehabilitation. Evidence of improved swallow function with application of exercise physiology and neural plasticity principles has been shown in…