Functional Oral-Pharyngeal Rehabilitation of Patients With Dysphagia Using Ice-chips, a Prospective Randomized Study
Post Extubation Dysphagia
About this trial
This is an interventional supportive care trial for Post Extubation Dysphagia
Eligibility Criteria
Inclusion Criteria:
- A participant will be included if he/she:
- Has been intubated for greater than 48 hours (about 2 days)
- Can follow simple commands
- Has been extubated
- Can elicit a cough response
- Is on room air, nasal cannula, or high flow oxygen
- Does not currently have pneumonia/aspiration pneumonia
- Can manage secretions
Exclusion Criteria:
- Has been Intubated for less than 48 hours (about 2 days)
- Is aphonic
- Is unable to manage secretions
- Has prior history of dysphagia
- Is unable to follow directions
- Is on ventilator
- Has oral thrush
- Is unable to elicit a cough
Sites / Locations
- Morristown Medical CenterRecruiting
Arms of the Study
Arm 1
Arm 2
No Intervention
Experimental
Group A - Standard Dysphagia Treatment
Group B - Ice Chip Treatment
Group A will serve as the control group. This group will receive oral hygiene followed by traditional dysphagia exercises, including effortful swallow, Masako Maneuver, and Tongue Press.
Group B will serve as the experimental group. In place of traditional dysphagia exercises, participants in Group B will receive oral hygiene and will consume small amounts of ice chips with supervision, three times a day. The ice chip protocol is based on the same findings as the Frazier Free Water Protocol, in that small amounts of clean water or ice chips are not harmful to the lungs and relatively benign if aspirated. Ice chips provide additional advantages in rehabilitating dysphagia as they are a cohesive bolus that are easier for patients with severe dysphagia to control in their mouth and swallow.