Survey of swallowing evaluation practices in ALS

Abstract

The ability to swallow is particularly affected in individuals with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), and the ability to swallow safely continues to decline as the disease progresses. Evaluation of the swallowing capabilities of individuals with ALS varies among speech-language pathologists (SLPs). There are no standard practice guidelines for evaluation of swallowing dysfunction (dysphagia) in ALS. It is not clear whether most SLPs who assess the swallowing function of individuals with ALS use behavioral methods (i.e., evaluation of clinical signs and symptoms of dysphagia), instrumental measures (e.g., videofluoroscopic swallow study), or a combination of behavioral and instrumental methods. There are 34 ALSA/MDA Research and Clinical Centers in the USA. SLPs at these Centers are more likely to evaluate a higher volume of individuals with ALS than SLPs in other settings. Results of surveys containing questions about swallowing evaluation of persons with ALS sent to the SLPs at these 34 Centers will be reported.