Dr. Catriona Steele, president of the Dysphagia Research Society, discusses her journey in dysphagia research, including motivation from her pre-PhD days, and focuses on systematic reviews. She highlights the need for rigorous and transparent methodologies in evaluating research quality, introduces the FRONTIERS framework, and underscores the importance of continual learning and questioning in the field.

Episode Resources from Dr. Steele:
PRISMA guideline: Moher, D., Liberati, A., Tetzlaff, J., Altman, D. G., & Group, P. (2009). Preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses: the PRISMA statement. Annals of Internal Medicine, 151(4), 264-269, W264. https://doi.org/10.7326/0003-4819-151-4-200908180-00135

Prospero: https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO/

Open Science Framework: https://osf.io/

Cochrane Collaboration: https://www.cochrane.org/

EQUATOR Network: https://www.equator-network.org

Covidence: https://www.covidence.org/

Rayyan: https://www.rayyan.ai/

Clinical Trials dot gov: https://clinicaltrials.gov

Frontiers Framework: https://www.frontiersframework.com

Episode Sponsorship:
The TIMS Medical team is excited to announce that ASPEKT-C will be included in upcoming releases of TIMS MVP in 2025, following close collaboration with The Swallowing Rehabilitation Research Laboratory.  

The team at TIMS (www.tims.com) is honored to support the implementation of ASPEKT-C which assists clinicians in identifying the underlying mechanisms of impaired swallowing safety and efficiency. Additionally, the ASPEKT-C Method also enables clinicians to compare swallowing parameters to reference values in healthy individuals, offering valuable insights for improved care.

To learn more about ASPEKT-C, visit The Swallowing Rehabilitation Research Lab website. For updates on upcoming TIMS MVP releases, follow TIMS Medical on social media or sign up for email notifications at www.tims.com.

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What happens when you get 6 speech pathologists with 150 years of collective experience stuck together in a room?

You’ll have to listen to find out!

Join Julie Blair, Laurie Sterling, Dr. Deb Suiter, Dr. Barbara Messing, Jo Puntil, and Dr. Tim Stockdale (that’s 1, 2, 3, 4 ASHA fellows!) in a special edition episode, as we enjoy a laid-back evening conversation at the 2024 ASHA Convention in Seattle, Washington.

Reflections include Swallowing Cinema, patient choice, and growing through vulnerability.

Sponsor:
This episode is sponsored by the Milton J Dance Endowment – a sponsor dedicated to support of head and neck cancer patients   and swallowing disorders in all populations.

Background photo credit: Daniel Schwen (https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Seattle_4.jpg)

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Believe it or not, there is extensive variability in how dysphagia is defined. Listen in as Drs. Giselle Carnaby, Debra Suiter, and Martin Brodsky discuss challenges and importance of defining dysphagia. The discussion highlights variability in how dysphagia is understood and defined across research, clinical practice, and healthcare systems. This gap has implications for patient care, reimbursement, and professional credibility. While acknowledging the complexity of the task, the speakers emphasize the progress made, the importance of raising awareness, and some steps needed to create a more cohesive approach to dysphagia research and treatment.

Episode Sponsor: Phagenesis -Non-surgical, neurostimulation therapy
to restore swallowing control https://www.phagenesis.com/

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Join us for an insightful discussion with Jaclyn Pederson, CEO of Feeding Matters, as we discuss the critical gaps in education for pediatric feeding disorders. Jaclyn sheds light on the challenges faced by clinicians, who often lack the specialized training needed to manage complex feeding issues in children. Drawing on her background in nonprofit leadership and healthcare innovation, she shares a strategic approach to advocating for improved education and research in this area. This episode calls for meaningful action to enhance education and resources, ensuring better support for those affected by pediatric feeding disorders around the world.

Episode Resources:
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38801459/

https://youtu.be/oVZWdpu71Wc?si=Tz4QK1xzDQErAH4V

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In this episode, we explore how a solid understanding of cranial nerves can make dysphagia evaluations more precise and guide treatment. By knowing which nerves impact each part of the swallow and how to interpret the oral mechanical exam, clinicians can tailor treatments to lead to better patient outcomes.

Guest: Kendrea L. Garand, PhD, CScD, CCC-SLP, BCS-S, CBIS, CCRE

This episode is graciously sponsored by Bracco Diagnostics, maker of VARIBAR® (barium sulfate) - Check them out at VaribarMBS.com

Cranial Nerve Diagram for Swallowing: https://www.instagram.com/p/C0vHczIxtk_/?img_index=1

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In this episode, we turn the tables as guest host Jeanette Benigas, PhD, interviews Tim on the concept of "functional" swallowing. They explore what truly defines functional swallowing by delving into its core impact on nutrition, hydration, quality of life, and pulmonary health. Together, they reframe our understanding of swallowing function, challenging traditional views and grounding the discussion in clinical outcomes that matter most.

Check out Tim's MBSS/VFSS, which is discussed in this episode! 

https://youtu.be/hVH6G1Wh9Zk

Guest Host: Jeanette Benigas, PhD, SLP

Guest: Tim Stockdale, SLPD, CCC-SLP

This episode is graciously sponsored by Bracco Diagnostics, maker of VARIBAR® (barium sulfate) - Check them out at VaribarMBS.com

Episode Resources: 

A randomized study of three interventions for aspiration of thin liquids in patients with dementia or Parkinson's disease

Comparison of 2 interventions for liquid aspiration on pneumonia incidence 

Fatalities due to choking: Internal occlusion of airway

Malnutrition: Risks & concerns in dysphagia management

Management of dehydration in patients suffering swallowing difficulties

A survey of speech pathologist practice patterns for consulting registered dieticians when recommending diet alterations

Functional Swallowing Reel (Instagram) @SwallowPatho

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As some of you may have noticed, Swallow the Gap has been on a short, three-week break due to some big deadlines and our recent FEES course in Salt Lake City. But don’t worry—we’ll be back on track and a brand-new episode is dropping next Wednesday!

 To make it up to you, we’re doing something special. We’re giving away six tickets to this Thursday’s webinar: Evidence-Based Videofluoroscopy: Moving Beyond Fear-Based Decision Making with Dr. James Coyle and Jo Puntil, offered for 0.2 ASHA CEUs: www.swallowthegap.com/fear-to-evidence

You can enter via any social media platform, particularly Instagram or LinkedIn:

1.  On Instagram: Share @swallowpatho’s post from September 24th promoting the webinar to your story and tag me.  

2.  On LinkedIn: Share a link to the course and tag me, Timothy Stockdale. You can find the link at swallowthegap.com/fear-to-evidence or head to swallowthegap.com and look under ‘Live Courses.’

3.  On any social media platform, not limited to Instagram and LinkedIn, you can email me a screenshot at [email protected]

You have until 10 PM Eastern Time today, October 16th, to enter. Winners will be chosen at random, so don’t miss your chance to get complimentary access to this webinar!

 If you’ve already purchased a ticket, don’t worry—you’re still eligible for the giveaway! If you’re selected as a winner, we’ll refund your payment after the event.

 Thanks for sticking with us through the break. Keep your eyes peeled for a new episode next Wednesday, and we hope to see you at the webinar this Thursday!

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Join Tim and Dr. Gabriela "Gabi" Constantinescu as they explore the use of surface electromyography (sEMG) in swallowing rehabilitation. Gabi, with her background as a clinician and PhD in Rehabilitation Medicine, shares insights on how sEMG biofeedback can enhance patient engagement and outcomes in dysphagia therapy. Whether you're familiar with this technology or new to it, this episode offers a clear and practical overview of how sEMG works, its benefits, and its potential for clinical practice.

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We’re thrilled to have a neurology physician out of Düsseldorf, Germany join us to explore neurogenic dysphagia and the role of interdisciplinary treatments in its management. Dr. Bendix Labeit will introduce central compensatory mechanisms, brain stimulation, pharmacological therapies, and more, offering insights to shift the way SLPs approach dysphagia care.

Episode Sponsor: Phagenesis -Non-surgical, neurostimulation therapy
to restore swallowing control https://www.phagenesis.com/

Hard to Swallow - A Catalyst for Change in Dysphagia Management conference, featuring our guest: https://peaks.rm.edu/course/hard-to-swallow-dysphagia-management-conference-2024/

Bio: Bendix Labeit is a neurology physician and clinician scientist at University Hospital Düsseldorf in Germany. His research focuses on neuroscience, geriatrics, and rehabilitation, particularly addressing dysphagia (swallowing impairment) within these fields. He employs various scientific methods, including Flexible Endoscopic Evaluation of Swallowing (FEES), magnetoencephalography (MEG), functional MRI (fMRI), and bioimpedance (BIA), to conduct his studies. His commitment to advancing the field is reflected in his publications in leading journals, including Lancet Neurology, Neurology, Movement Disorders, Stroke, Nature Parkinson’s Disease, and the Journal of the American Medical Directors Association. Through his work, he aspires to create a significant impact by reducing mortality rates and enhancing the overall quality of life for patients.

Episode Resources:
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34746431/

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38508837/

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38954267/

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27158122/

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38581884/

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37789340/

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34394727/

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33449304/

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How can Inspiratory Muscle Strength Training (IMST) be integrated into your patient care? In this episode, we explore respiratory muscle strength training (RMST), with a specific focus on IMST—one of the less familiar tools for speech-language pathologists. Tune in as we discuss the science and real-world applications of RMST, with expert insights from Dr. Alex Brandimore. Whether you’re new to RMST or looking to deepen your knowledge, this episode offers valuable insights for advancing dysphagia care.

Episode Sponsor: Aspire Respiratory Products - Visit https://emst150.com for access to free educational resources (found on the healthcare professionals side of the site).

Other Resources:
https://emst150.com/research-list-case-studies/

Hear more from our speaker on Sept. 20-21, 2024 at the
Hard to Swallow - A Catalyst for Change in Dysphagia Management conference, featuring our podcast guest - https://peaks.rm.edu/course

Bio: Dr. Alexandra Brandimore, Ph.D. CCC-SLP joined the USF Communication Sciences and Disorders department faculty in May 2017. Her research targets the development of evaluative techniques and therapeutic paradigms to improve upper airway dysfunction, primarily dysphagia (disordered swallowing) and dystussia (disordered cough), in persons with neurodegenerative diseases (e.g. Parkinson’s disease). Her clinical work has mainly been in Movement Disorders where she has evaluated and treated the motor speech, voice, AAC, and airway protective needs of hundreds of patients. She has participated in the collaborative, multidisciplinary ALS clinic within the USF Health system to facilitate the complex needs of these patients. Dr. Brandimore has teaching expertise in respiratory physiology, cognitive-motor relationships, neural/myogenic adaptations to exercise and training, with emphasis on the swallowing, coughing and respiratory systems, and clinical disorders of motor speech, voice, and airway protection. 

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