ABSTRACT

Objective : This case study describes the effects of swallowing rehabilitation on total thyroidectomy patients with dysphagia. Methods : The subject was a 71-year old total thyroidectomy patient with dysphagia. She was assessed based on the Functional Dysphagia Scale (FDS) and Penetration-Aspiration Scale (PAS) using a Videofluoroscopic Study (VFSS), and on the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association National Outcome Measurements System (ASHA NOMS). From April 19th to May 16th, 2014, she received treatment once a day fives times a week, for a half an hour for each session. From May 19th to June 5th, she received treatment once a day three times a week. Her swallowing rehabilitation was implemented by an occupational therapist and included her range of motion and resistive exercises the of neck muscles, head lift exercises, swallowing techniques, vocal cord adduction, falsetto exercises, electrical stimulation, postural techniques, a diet modification, and a regulation of the quantity and speed of food consumption. Results : The patient’s total FDS decreased from 42 to 20, and then to 16. Her PAS decreased from 6 to 4, and then to 2. Her ASHA NOMS level increased from 1 to 5, and then to 6, consecutively. Conclusion : The findings from this case study suggest that the swallowing function in a total thyroidectomy patient with dysphagia was improved from swallowing rehabilitation.