2015V - The Role of Exercise Physiology in Dysphagia Rehabilitation

Current dysphagia literature provides clinicians with little guidance on the optimal dosage for swallow exercise prescription. Exercise physiology literature describes different dosage paradigms to optimally improve strength, coordination and endurance in appendicular muscle groups. However, oropharyngeal muscle composition is different than that of large appendicular muscle groups, which should be taken into consideration when reviewing and applying exercise literature to swallowing prescription. A speech pathologist and a physical therapist will provide information about the special properties of head and neck muscles involved in swallowing and how to best apply principles of exercise physiology. This lecture is designed to help clinicians create individualized treatment programs with sufficient intensity, volume and rest intervals to optimize achievement of swallow goals.