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
<div>The Swallowing After Total Laryngectomy questionnaire (SOAL) was found to have satisfactory reliability for identifying individuals with dysphagia status-post total laryngectomy.</div>
<div>The Dysphagia in Multiple Sclerosis (DYMUS) screening tool was found to have satisfactory reliability for identifying individuals with dysphagia.</div>
<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) </li>
</ul>
<div>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%.</div>
