Since 1993, we have done the videofluorographic swallowing study for the objective method for dysphagia evaluation and the study is very effective in evaluation and making a decision of treatment.Also, it is relatively safe method.
For the quantitative evaluation of clinical state of dysphagia and the videofluorographic swallowing study, we developed the clinical functional scale and videofluorographic swallowing scale.Those scales are pretty well correlated with aspiration grades, however, we will try developing new version of those scales for better correlation with long term outcomes.
For treatment of dysphagia, diet modification is very important part as well as exercise and compensatory technique.So, based on food material's viscosity, we developed three class dysphagia diet system for diet modification matched to the test steps of videofluorographic swallowing study and line spread test is very convenient method to classify each food materials at home.
We did a long term prospective study of dysphagia after stroke with videofluorographic swallowing study and result was better than other reports.We think that this improvement was a result of our treatment including our own diet modification method mentioned before.
Finally, we think that doctor’s role is very important in evaluation and making decision of treatment of dysphagia so, doctor have to be the leader of dysphagia treatment team
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