Real-Time Internet Evaluation of Swallowing

Completed

• Conditions: Stroke; Head and Neck Cancer

• Registration Number: NCT00580138
• Lead Sponsor: University of Arkansas

Brief Summary

The purpose of this study is to determine whether real-time internet evaluations of swallowing, or x-ray swallow studies viewed over closed internet circuit, are a reliable method of evaluating swallowing function.

Detailed Description

The objective of this proposal is to establish the validity of an Internet based protocol for real-time, remote, telefluoroscopic evaluation of oropharyngeal swallowing function. The investigators will achieve this goal by testing the hypothesis that oropharyngeal swallowing function evaluated by an experienced speech-language pathologist (SLP) using a remote, interactive, real-time, dynamic Internet telefluoroscopic procedure, which was developed in the PI's laboratory, has an acceptable level of agreement with the evaluations performed by an experienced SLP who is present in the fluoroscopy suite and using the traditional videofluoroscopic methodology. In other words, the primary aim of this investigation is to determine whether the telemedicine approach to evaluation of swallowing function is reliable relative to the traditional method by which a clinician is in direct contact with a patient for a pre-examination interview, clinical examination, and videofluoroscopic evaluation of swallowing function. Confirmation of the reliability of the telefluoroscopic evaluation of oropharyngeal dysphagia (hereafter referred to as dysphagia) can result in equity of access for underserved groups for whom SLPs with expertise in evaluating swallowing function are locally unavailable. Ultimately, the success of this project could translate specialty services into routine clinical practice across the United States and globally.

Study Timeline

• Study Start: 2005-05
• Study First Submitted: 2007-12-20
• Study First Submitted QC: 2007-12-20
• Study First Posted: 2007-12-24
• Primary Completion: 2009-03
• Study Completion: 2009-03
• Results First Submitted: 2010-05-06
• Results First Submitted QC: 2010-05-06
• Results First Posted: 2010-06-07
• Status Verified: 2017-01
• Last Update Submitted: 2017-01-04
• Last Update Posted: 2017-02-20

Recruitment & Eligibility

• Status: COMPLETED
• Sex: All
• Target Recruitment: 30

Inclusion Criteria

• Stroke, Head & neck cancer, referred for swallowing evaluation.

Exclusion Criteria

• No stroke or no head and neck cancer, or not referred for swallowing evaluation.

Study & Design

• Study Type: OBSERVATIONAL
• Study Design: Not specified

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Reliability Ratings Among Clinicians Using Real-time Internet Evaluation of Swallowing.	2 years	Percentages were calculated for agreement between ratings made by on site clinician and clinician off site with telemedicine.

Trial Locations

Locations (2)

University of Wisconsin; 🇺🇸 Madison, Wisconsin, United States

University of Illinois; 🇺🇸 Urbana-Champaign, Illinois, United States