title: A randomized study of three interventions for aspiration of thin liquids in patients with dementia or Parkinson's disease.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study was designed to identify which of 3 treatments for aspiration on thin liquids-chin-down posture, nectar-thickened liquids, or honey-thickened liquids-results in the most successful immediate elimination of aspiration on thin liquids during the videofluorographic swallow study in patients with dementia and/or Parkinson's disease.
  
  
  METHODS
  This randomized clinical trial included 711 patients ages 50 to 95 years who aspirated on thin liquids as assessed videofluorographically. All patients received all 3 interventions in a randomly assigned order during the videofluorographic swallow study.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Immediate elimination of aspiration on thin liquids occurred most often with honey-thickened liquids for patients in each diagnostic category, followed by nectar-thickened liquids and chin-down posture. Patients with most severe dementia exhibited least effectiveness on all interventions. Patient preference was best for chin-down posture followed closely by nectar-thickened liquids.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  To identify best short-term intervention to prevent aspiration of thin liquid in patients with dementia and/or Parkinson's disease, a videofluorographic swallow assessment is needed. Evidence-based practice requires taking patient preference into account when designing a dysphagic patient's management plan. The longer-term impact of short-term prevention of aspiration requires further study.
authors.affiliation: Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders, Northwestern University, 2240 Campus Drive, #3-358, Evanston, IL 60208, USA. j-logemann@northwestern.edu
authors.forename: Jeri A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Logemann
authors.forename: Gary
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Gensler
authors.forename: Joanne
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Robbins
authors.forename: Anne S
authors.initials: AS
authors.lastname: Lindblad
authors.forename: Diane
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Brandt
authors.forename: Jacqueline A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Hind
authors.forename: Steven
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kosek
authors.forename: Karen
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Dikeman
authors.forename: Marta
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kazandjian
authors.forename: Gary D
authors.initials: GD
authors.lastname: Gramigna
authors.forename: Donna
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Lundy
authors.forename: Susan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: McGarvey-Toler
authors.forename: Patricia J
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Miller Gardner
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003679:Deglutition; D003680:Deglutition Disorders / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy*; D003704:Dementia / Q000150:complications*; D005260:Female; D005471:Fluoroscopy; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D010300:Parkinson Disease / Q000150:complications*; D011015:Pneumonia, Aspiration / Q000517:prevention & control*; D011187:Posture; D012996:Solutions
chemical_list: D012996:Solutions