title: [Swallowing in disorders of consciousness].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Interest in studying swallowing disorders in patients with altered consciousness has increased over the past decade. Swallowing deficit is frequently encountered in severe brain-injured patients.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  Results of studies have highlighted different factors such as the delay between the injury and the treatment and the level of consciousness of these patients, as well as the presence or not of tracheotomy, which will determine the feasibility of resuming oral feeding. Nowadays, very few valid and sensitive scales can be used to assess swallowing deficit in patients with disorders of consciousness. The Facial Oral Tract Therapy (FOTT) scale is an inter-professional multidisciplinary approach offering a structured way to evaluate and treat patients with swallowing disorders. In contrast with other scales, patients do not have to follow verbal instructions for the FOTT.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This paper presents a review of existing literature on the assessment and management of swallowing disorders in patients with altered state of consciousness, and a description of the FOTT method.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The FOTT seems to be an interesting assessment and rehabilitation tool for patients with disorders of consciousness. However, clinical studies are needed to confirm the validity and sensitivity of this technique.
authors: Coma Science Group, centre de recherches du cyclotron, université de Liège, allée du 6-Août, Sart Tilman B30, 4000 Liège, Belgique.
authors: A
authors: A
authors: Bicego
authors: Coma Science Group, centre de recherches du cyclotron, université de Liège, allée du 6-Août, Sart Tilman B30, 4000 Liège, Belgique.
authors: K
authors: K
authors: Lejoly
authors: Coma Science Group, centre de recherches du cyclotron, université de Liège, allée du 6-Août, Sart Tilman B30, 4000 Liège, Belgique; Service d'oto-rhino-laryngologie, hôpital universitaire de Liège, université de Liège, 13, avenue de l'Hôpital, 4000 Liège, Belgique.
authors: A
authors: A
authors: Maudoux
authors: Service d'oto-rhino-laryngologie, hôpital universitaire de Liège, université de Liège, 13, avenue de l'Hôpital, 4000 Liège, Belgique.
authors: P
authors: P
authors: Lefebvre
authors: Coma Science Group, centre de recherches du cyclotron, université de Liège, allée du 6-Août, Sart Tilman B30, 4000 Liège, Belgique; Service de neurologie, hôpital universitaire de Liège, université de Liège, 13, avenue de l'Hôpital, 4000 Liège, Belgique.
authors: S
authors: S
authors: Laureys
authors: Unité de phoniatrie, service d'oto-rhino-laryngologie, hôpital universitaire de Lausanne, 31, avenue Beaumont, 1011 Lausanne, Suisse.
authors: V
authors: V
authors: Schweizer
authors: Unité de neurorééducation aiguë, département des neurosciences cliniques, hôpital universitaire de Lausanne, 46, rue du Bugnon, 1011 Lausanne, Suisse.
authors: K
authors: K
authors: Diserens
authors: Service d'algologie-soins palliatifs, hôpital universitaire de Liège, université de Liège, CHU Sart Tilman, B35, 4000 Liège, Belgique.
authors: M-E
authors: ME
authors: Faymonville
authors: Service d'algologie-soins palliatifs, hôpital universitaire de Liège, université de Liège, CHU Sart Tilman, B35, 4000 Liège, Belgique. Electronic address: avanhaudenhuyse@chu.ulg.ac.be.
authors: A
authors: A
authors: Vanhaudenhuyse
mesh_terms: D003244:Consciousness Disorders / Q000150:complications*; D003680:Deglutition Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology* / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D026741:Physical Therapy Modalities
keywords: FOTT; Minimally conscious state; Swallowing disorder; Syndrome d’éveil non répondant; Troubles de la déglutition; Unresponsive wakefulness syndrome; Vegetative state; État de conscience minimale; État végétatif