Speech pathology interventions in patients with neuromuscular diseases: a systematic review.
OBJECTIVE
A systematic review was conducted to summarize and evaluate the literature on the effectiveness of speech pathology interventions in adults with neuromuscular diseases.


METHODS
Databases searched included the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, MEDLINE, CINAHL, EMBASE, PsycINFO and PubMed. A total of 1,772 articles were independently screened on title and abstract by 2 reviewers.


RESULTS
No randomized controlled trials or clinical controlled trials were found. Four other designs were included. Only one study on oculopharyngeal muscle dystrophy (OPMD) appeared to have sufficient methodological quality. There is evidence indicating that correction of head position in patients with OPMD improves swallowing efficiency (level III evidence).


CONCLUSIONS
Despite 1,772 studies, there is only evidence of level III regarding the effectiveness of speech pathology interventions in patients with OPMD. Recommendations for future research are given.
Knuijt
S
S
Research Centre for Allied Health Sciences, Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Centre, Nijmegen, The Netherlands. s.knuijt@pmd.umcn.nl
Cup
E H C
EH
Pieterse
A J
AJ
de Swart
B J M
BJ
van der Wilt
G J
GJ
van Engelen
B G M
BG
Oostendorp
R A B
RA
Hendricks
H T
HT
D000328:Adult; D001184:Articulation Disorders / Q000209:etiology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D003680:Deglutition Disorders / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy; D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine; D005544:Forecasting; D019416:Head Movements; D006801:Humans; D039141:Muscular Dystrophy, Oculopharyngeal / Q000150:complications / Q000534:rehabilitation; D009468:Neuromuscular Diseases / Q000150:complications*; D012107:Research Design; D013070:Speech Therapy; D013066:Speech-Language Pathology / Q000379:methods*; D016896:Treatment Outcome