As speech-language pathologists, it is crucial to base our clinical decisions on solid research and data. One recent study that can enhance our understanding and practice is "Aging Effects on Eating Assessment Tool-10 (EAT-10) Total Scores in Healthy, Community-Dwelling Adults," published in the Canadian Journal of Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology. This study delves into how aging impacts EAT-10 scores in healthy adults and offers valuable insights for practitioners.
Key Findings
The study analyzed EAT-10 scores in a large sample of 167 healthy, non-dysphagic adults across four age categories: 21-39 years, 40-59 years, 60-79 years, and 80 years and older. The mean EAT-10 score was 0.6, with 75% of participants scoring zero. Notably, no significant differences in EAT-10 scores were found across age categories or between sexes.
Implications for Practitioners
Here are some key takeaways that can help you improve your practice:
- Understanding Normal Variability: The study found that EAT-10 scores do not significantly differ with age or sex in healthy adults. This suggests that any significant deviation from a score of zero in older adults should prompt further investigation for potential dysphagia.
- Evaluating Subclinical Changes: The EAT-10 may not be sensitive enough to detect subclinical changes in swallowing function due to aging. Practitioners should consider using additional assessment tools or instrumental evaluations for a comprehensive assessment.
- Clinical Judgement: While EAT-10 is a useful tool, it should not be the sole measure for diagnosing dysphagia. Clinical judgement and additional diagnostic tests are essential for accurate assessment.
Encouraging Further Research
The study also highlights areas where further research is needed:
- Concurrent Imaging Studies: Future research should include videofluoroscopy or fiberoptic endoscopic evaluation to correlate EAT-10 scores with actual swallowing function.
- Exploring Reflux Influence: The study found lower EAT-10 scores in participants with self-reported reflux compared to those in the validation study. Further research could explore the impact of reflux on EAT-10 scores more comprehensively.
By integrating these findings into your practice and encouraging further research, we can collectively improve the outcomes for children and adults with swallowing difficulties.
To read the original research paper, please follow this link: Aging Effects on Eating Assessment Tool-10 (EAT-10) Total Scores in Healthy, Community-Dwelling Adults.
