ABSTRACT

Objective : This study investigated the change of the quality of life by the SWAL-QOL method which was developed in 2002 to evaluate the quality of life of the individuals with dysphagia. Methods : Subjects of the study were 58 patients undertaking the Swallowing ehabilitation treatment at the 16 organizations. Data were collected and analyzed on the 21 out of the 58 whose swallowing dietary stage was improved after 4 weeks Results : After the dietary status has been changed, the average score of the 11 items and the total score were increased enhancing the life quality. Significant differences were found in all items according to the first and second survey of SWAL-QOL. In the SWAL-QOL, swallowing ability had significant interrelationship with the general burden, eating duration, communication, the fear of eating, and the mental health. The improvement of the dietary stage showed positive relationships with the general burden, eating duration, communication, fear of eating and the mental health while negative relationship with the age. Total score of the SWAL-QOL indicated significant interrelationship with the general burden, eating duration, symptoms, food selection, communication, the fear of eating, and mental health. When the medical treatment period was long, the total score of the SWAL-QOL showed the negative relationship. Conclusion : This study was significant because it viewed dysphagia therapy, traditionally focusing on physical and physiological properties, as psychosocial aspect and suggested patient's quality of life. Also we found that the quality of life was increased by improving dietary stage in the patients with dysphagia