ABSTRACT

Objective: The purpose of this study is to provide a theoretical basis that can be used to guide community-based swallowing rehabilitation programs by confirming the status and characteristics of previously introduced community-based dysphagia assessment tools, through a systematic review. Methods: The composition and characteristics of 13 dysphagia assessment tools were analyzed from 40 papers published between 2011 and 2023, which were identified from PubMed, ProQeust, Embase, and RISS collections, using key search terms of community, discrimination, evaluation, examination, elderly, and dementia. Results: Thirteen questionnaire-type dysphagia assessment tools were used in the community-based rehabilitation environment, six of which were developed for community-dwelling elderly. Most assessments were classified at medium-to-high levels during quality checks. The item analysis assessed fourteen areas, including swallowing (three areas), food (two areas), meal times, drooling, quality of life, emotions, nutrition, oral health, sensation, and posture. Conclusion: For dysphagia management, it is important not only to improve existing medical environments but also to comprehensively manage them in the community. We hope that the results of this study will facilitate the selection and clinical use of dysphagia evaluations by community swallowing rehabilitation experts.