Effect of Swallowing Rehabilitation Protocol on Swallowing Function in Patients with Esophageal Atresia and/or Tracheoesophageal Fistula.
AimThe aim of this study was to evaluate the results of Swallowing Rehabilitation Protocol (SRP) on swallowing function (SF) of esophageal atresia and tracheoesophageal fistula (EA-TEF) patients with pharyngeal swallowing disorder.Materials and MethodsIn this study, 24 children with EA-TEF who had deglutitive and respiratory problems were grouped into either study (n= 12) or control group (n= 12) by basic randomization. Study group received the SRP including neuromuscular electrical stimulation, thermal tactile stimulation, and hyolaryngeal mobilization. The control group received nonnutritive stimulations. SF was evaluated with 3 mL liquid and pudding barium by videofluoroscopic swallowing study (VFSS) before and after 20 sessions of interventions.ResultsNo statistical differences were found between groups in terms of descriptive characteristics including age, sex, weight, height, type of atresia, repair type, repair time, and start time of oral intake (p> 0.05). There were no statistical differences between groups in term of swallowing parameters (p> 0.05), except reflux (p= 0.004) according to VFSS findings. After 20 sessions of interventions, the study group showed improvement in penetration-aspiration scale scores, oral phase dysfunction, delay in swallowing reflex, and residue in valleculae and pyriform sinuses after pudding swallow. The control group showed improvement only in oral phase dysfunction.ConclusionSRP can be recommended to improve SF in patients with EA/TEF who have pharyngeal swallowing disorders.
Department of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation, Faculty of Health Sciences, Hacettepe University, Ankara, Turkey.
Selen
S
Serel Arslan
Department of Pediatric Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Hacettepe University, Ankara, Turkey.
Tutku
T
Soyer
Department of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation, Faculty of Health Sciences, Hacettepe University, Ankara, Turkey.
Numan
N
Demir
Department of Pediatric Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Hacettepe University, Ankara, Turkey.
Sule
S
Yalcın
Department of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation, Faculty of Health Sciences, Hacettepe University, Ankara, Turkey.
Ayşe
A
Karaduman
Department of Pediatric Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Hacettepe University, Ankara, Turkey.
Ibrahim
I
Karnak
Department of Pediatric Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Hacettepe University, Ankara, Turkey.
Feridun Cahit
FC
Tanyel
D002675:Child, Preschool; D002985:Clinical Protocols; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D003680:Deglutition Disorders / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D004933:Esophageal Atresia / Q000150:complications / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D011446:Prospective Studies; D014138:Tracheoesophageal Fistula / Q000150:complications / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D016896:Treatment Outcome