Method of drinking and risk of aspiration assessed by videofluoroscopy
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Method of drinking and risk of aspiration assessed by videofluoroscopy. A Pilot study
IRAS ID
226809
Contact name
Julie Wright
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Plymouth
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 8 months, 31 days
Research summary
Patients in care settings are often provided with straws or spouted beakers to drink from. Little is known about the effect this has on swallowing and if this increases the likelihood of drinks entering the airway (aspiration) which can have serious consequences such a pneumonia. People with swallowing difficulties (dysphagia) are likely to be most at risk of this happening. Over a period of 9 months, from September 2017 to May 2018, patients referred for X-ray investigation of their swallowing function (videofluoroscopy) at the Royal Cornwall Hospital who can independently and safely drink thin and mildly thick fluids will be invited to participate in the study. Thickened fluids reduce the risk of aspiration as they move more slowly in the mouth and pharynx, allowing patients more time to safely swallow the fluid. Only Level 2 Mildly Thick fluids will be used in the study as fluids thicker than this are difficult to take through a straw. Patients requiring thicker fluids to drink safely will therefore be excluded from the study.
Participants will take a drink of the appropriate fluid via open cup, straw and spouted beaker in a random order. The swallows will be rate using a commonly used scale to determine the risk of aspiration. Comparison will be made between swallows to see if drinking from a straw or spouted beaker increases the risk of aspiration in comparison with drinking from an open cup. Patients will also be asked to complete a short questionnaire to establish their preference of drinking method.REC name
Wales REC 7
REC reference
17/WA/0304
Date of REC Opinion
22 Sep 2017
REC opinion
Unfavourable Opinion