In this Journal Club episode, I’m joined by my husband, Matt, an occupational therapist, as we discuss two articles relevant to acute and critical care practice. We review Association Between Rating of Respiratory Distress and Vital Signs, Severity of Illness, Intubation, and Mortality in Acutely Ill Subjects by Aiman Tulaimat et al., exploring the clinical significance of respiratory distress ratings, and Predictors of Decannulation Success in Tracheostomy: A 10-Year Analysis of the Global Tracheostomy Collaborative Database by Charissa J. Zaga et al., examining factors associated with successful tracheostomy decannulation. Join us as we break down the findings, discuss clinical implications, and share our perspectives from speech-language pathology and occupational therapy.

In this Journal Club episode, we dive into the evidence behind Expiratory Muscle Strength Training (EMST) and its impact on swallowing function. We review the systematic review, Effects of Expiratory Muscle Strength Training on Videofluoroscopic Measures of Swallowing, authored by Renata Mancopes, Sana Smaoui, and Catriona M. Steele.

Together, we break down how EMST has been studied using videofluoroscopic swallowing measures and where the current evidence remains limited.

Presented by Meagan Hamous, this episode is ideal for clinicians, researchers, and students looking to critically appraise the literature and translate evidence into practice.

Episode Description:
In this Journal Club episode, we dive into the BOLUS framework as presented in “Linking the impact of aspiration to host variables using the BOLUS framework: Support from a rapid review” by Phyllis Palmer and Aaron Padilla. We break down how the authors connect aspiration outcomes to host factors, discuss clinical implications, and explore how this conceptual model can guide dysphagia assessment and treatment. Tune in for a practical, clinician-centered conversation on applying the framework to real-world practice.

Welcome to our very first episode! We’re diving into the DIGEST v2 framework and chatting through what’s new and what it means for clinical practice. It’s a casual, live recording of our SLP journal club — not medical advice, just conversation and learning as we go.

The article we are discussing is:

Refining measurement of swallowing safety in the Dynamic Imaging Grade of Swallowing Toxicity (DIGEST) criteria: Validation of DIGEST version 2

Katherine A. Hutcheson PhD, Carly E. A. Barbon PhD, Clare P. Alvarez MS, Carla L. Warneke MS

First published: 05 January 2022

Also referenced:

Steele, Catriona M., et al. “Development of a Non-Invasive Device for Swallow Screening in Patients at Risk of Oropharyngeal Dysphagia: Results from a Prospective Exploratory Study.” Dysphagia, vol. 34, no. 5, 2019, pp. 698-707, doi:10.1007/s00455-018-09974-5.