Alignment during feeding and swallowing: does it matter? A review.
This article provides a critical assessment of evidence for the claim of experienced clinicians that proper body alignment will ameliorate the feeding problems of patients with cerebral palsy and related neuromotor disorders and reduce the risk of aspiration. While there is evidence that alignment reduces extensor tone and improves feeding, further research is needed to determine whether this population's high risk for aspiration can be reduced by alignment.
West
Joyce F
JF
Department of Speech-Language-Hearing Sciences, Lehman College, City University of New York, Bronx 10468-1569, USA. jfwest@earthlink.net
Redstone
Fran
F
D003679:Deglutition; D005247:Feeding Behavior; D006801:Humans; D013997:Time Factors