Screening Tools for Dysphagia: A Systematic Review

CoDAS

Etges, C. L., Scheeren, B., et al. (2014).

CoDAS, 26(5), 343-349.

This systematic review investigates the characteristics, methods, and psychometric properties of dysphagia screening measures.

Not stated

Not further specified

Published studies (not further specified)

20

The Swallowing After Total Laryngectomy questionnaire (SOAL) was found to have satisfactory reliability for identifying individuals with dysphagia status-post total laryngectomy.

The Dysphagia in Multiple Sclerosis (DYMUS) screening tool was found to have satisfactory reliability for identifying individuals with dysphagia.

<p>Sensitivity values for screening measures were reported in 10 studies, ranging from 79.0% to 100%. Specificity, when reported, ranged from 51% to 100%. One study reported 100% sensitivity and specificity rates for the Massey Bedside Swallowing Screen. This measure involves observation items (alertness, aphasia, gag reflex, etc.) and, if observation portion is passed, a water swallow trial.</p> <p>Reliability was reported via Cronbach's <em>a</em> for six studies, ranging from .80 for the Swallowing Disturbance Questionnaire and .96 for the Eating Assessment Tool (EAT-10) and Swallowing After Total Laryngectomy questionnaire (SOAL). The authors stated that the six instruments "can be considered satisfactory for the purpose of identifying patients with dysphagia" (p. 348):</p> <ul> <li>Swallowing Disturbance Questionnaire</li> <li>Eating Assessment Tool (EAT-10)</li> <li>Swallowing After Total Laryngectomy questionnaire (SOAL)</li> <li>Dysphagia in Multiple Sclerosis (DYMUS)</li> <li>Dysphagia Screening Questionnaire</li> <li>Sydney Swallow Questionnaire (SSQ) &nbsp;</li> </ul>

Participants of included studies consisted of children and adults; only one study specified children as participants. Reported sensitivity ranged between 79.70% and 100%, and specificity was reported to be a minimum value of 51%.