<div>This systematic review and meta-analysis investigates the effects and safety of dysphagia treatments for critically ill patients status post extubation. </div>
Research Fund of Zhejiang Provincial Health Commission (China)
<div>Swallowing treatment had positive effects on the following outcomes in adult patients in intensive care units (ICUs) with post-extubation dysphagia: </div>
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<li><strong>dysphagia severity </strong>(standardized mean difference [SMD] = 1.23; Low Certainty);</li>
<li><strong>length of ICU stay </strong>(MD = 4.0; Very Low Certainty of Evidence);</li>
<li><strong>quality of life </strong>(SMD = 1.86; Very Low Certainty);</li>
<li><strong>resumption of oral feeding </strong>(relative risk [RR] = 2.38; Low Certainty); and</li>
<li><strong>time to oral intake </strong>(MD = 1.71 days; Very Low Certainty).</li>
</ul>
<div>Swallowing treatment had no overall effect on nutrition status (Very Low Certainty) or incidence of aspiration (Low Certainty), while one study reported a 40% reduction in oral residue following dysphagia treatment. Two studies reported that dysphagia treatment was not associated with any related adverse events (e.g., decreased oxygen saturation, coughing).</div>
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<div>Limitations to this review include heterogeneity between studies, limited available research, and low to very low certainty of evidence. Additional research is needed to determine the true efficacy of dysphagia treatments for this population.</div>
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