Telepractice for Pediatric Dysphagia: A Case Study

Authors

  • Georgia A. Malandraki Teachers College, Columbia University
  • Melissa Roth Teachers College, Columbia University
  • Justine Joan Sheppard Teachers College, Columbia University

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.5195/ijt.2014.6135

Abstract

A closed-ended intensive pediatric swallowing telepractice program was developed and piloted in one pediatric patient with Opitz BBB/G and Asperger’s Syndromes, oropharyngeal dysphagia and aerophagia. The present study is a case report. Outcome variables included behavioral, swallowing and quality of life variables, and were assessed at baseline and at the end of the four-week program. Selective variables were also assessed at a follow-up family interview four weeks post program completion. Over the four-week intervention period, the patient demonstrated substantial improvements in: oral acceptance of eating-related objects and a variety of foods (behavioral variable), timing of voluntary saliva swallows and aerophagia levels (swallowing variables) and quality of life. Follow-up interview analysis showed that most skills were retained or improved one-month post intervention. This intensive telepractice program proved to be feasible and effective for this pediatric patient with dysphagia.

  

Author Biographies

Georgia A. Malandraki, Teachers College, Columbia University

Assistant Professor of Speech and Language Pathology
Director of Swallowing, Voice and Neuroimaging Laboratory and Dysphagia Research Clinic
Program of Speech and Language Pathology
Dept. of Biobehavioral Sciences
Teachers College, Columbia University

Melissa Roth, Teachers College, Columbia University

Graduate Student

Program of Speech and Language Pathology
Dept. of Biobehavioral Sciences
Teachers College, Columbia University

Justine Joan Sheppard, Teachers College, Columbia University

Adjunct Professor
Program of Speech and Language Pathology

Department of Biobehavioral Sciences
Teachers College, Columbia University

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Published

2014-09-03

How to Cite

Malandraki, G. A., Roth, M., & Sheppard, J. J. (2014). Telepractice for Pediatric Dysphagia: A Case Study. International Journal of Telerehabilitation, 6(1), 3–16. https://doi.org/10.5195/ijt.2014.6135

Issue

Vol. 6, No. 1, Spring 2014

Section

Clinical Report

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