Modifying the Consistency of Food and Fluids for Swallowing Difficulties in Dementia
Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews
Flynn, E., Smith, C. H., et al. (2018).
Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, 9, CD011077.
This systematic review investigates the effectiveness and adverse effects associated with modified food and liquids to treat dysphagia in adults with dementia.
The Cochrane Collaboration; Health Research Board (Ireland); National Institute for Health Research (United Kingdom)
Thickening fluid may have an immediate positive effect on swallow function. In the two included studies, aspiration was eliminated on videofluoroscopy for the following percentage of patients:<ul> <li>Chin down posture with thin liquids: 26% </li> <li>Nectar thick liquids with neutral head position: 31%</li> <li>Honey thick liquids with neutral head position: 42%</li></ul>Three months after the initial recommendation, patients were compliant with interventions at the following rates:<ul> <li>Chin down posture: 57%</li> <li>Nectar thick liquids: 73%</li> <li>Honey thick liquids: 91%</li></ul>While thickened liquids may have a beneficial short term effect on swallow function for individuals with dementia, further research is needed to determine the longer-term effects given the high risk of bias and low level of quality of included studies.
