As a practitioner, it's essential to stay updated with the latest research and methodologies to provide the best care for your patients. One promising development in the field of dysphagia management is the ACT-ING program, an activity-based intervention designed to improve ingestive functions in older adults with oropharyngeal dysphagia (OD). This blog post delves into the early feasibility of this program and how you can implement its findings to enhance your practice.
Understanding the ACT-ING Program
The ACT-ING program, developed by Hansen et al., is a 12-week intervention that combines strength and skill-based training to improve swallowing physiology. The program focuses on coordination, timing, and the progressive strengthening of swallowing muscles through eating and drinking activities.
Key Components of the ACT-ING Program:
- Goal-directed and task-specific swallowing exercises
- Effortful swallowing techniques
- Progressive bolus volume and consistency adjustments
- Individualized therapy sessions
Early Feasibility Results
The study aimed to determine the early feasibility of the ACT-ING program by focusing on functionality, usability, and acceptability. Here are some key findings:
- Demand: 73.3% of invited participants accepted to join the program.
- Safety: No adverse events were reported, and clinical signs of aspiration were minimal.
- Tolerance: 85.7% of participants rated their concern for aspiration as low.
- Usability: The program scored high on the Intrinsic Motivation Inventory (IMI) for value and usefulness.
- Acceptability: Participants expressed positive attitudes and found the program components to be effective.
Implementing the ACT-ING Program in Your Practice
Based on the study's findings, the ACT-ING program shows promise in improving swallowing functions in older adults with slight to moderate OD. Here are some steps you can take to implement this program in your practice:
- Educate Yourself: Familiarize yourself with the intervention manual and the principles of the ACT-ING program.
- Training: Ensure that you and your team are trained in delivering the intervention, focusing on effortful swallowing techniques and task-specific exercises.
- Customization: Tailor the program to each patient's needs, considering their level of OD severity and overall health condition.
- Monitor Progress: Use tools like the Gugging Swallowing Screen (GUSS) and the Functional Oral Intake Scale (FOIS) to track patient progress.
- Feedback: Regularly collect feedback from patients to refine and improve the intervention.
Encouraging Further Research
While the early feasibility of the ACT-ING program is promising, more research is needed to optimize the intervention's duration, frequency, and overall effectiveness. Practitioners are encouraged to participate in further studies and contribute to the growing body of knowledge in dysphagia management.
To read the original research paper, please follow this link: Early Feasibility of an Activity-Based Intervention for Improving Ingestive Functions in Older Adults with Oropharyngeal Dysphagia.
