The Pulse

Improving Speech Using Breathing Therapy with Biofeedback

Speech Therapy: (3x/week x 11 weeks)
OmniFlow® Breathing Therapy Biofeedback
• Airway clearance – The Dandelion
• Forced expiration – Prehistoric Contest
• Respiratory muscle training – Starry Road

This 71-year-old woman was referred to a skilled nursing facility for rehabilitation services due to requiring increased assistance with all functional tasks after a five-day hospitalization due to nine falls in one week and diagnosis of a urinary tract infection. Prior to hospitalization she lived with her grandchildren in a single story home with four steps at the entry and was independent with ambulation and all functional activities including meal prep.

Pain is common in the geriatric population leading to a rapid decline in cognition and function with the eventual need for assistance and potential institutionalization. While opioids are often used to treat pain, their side effects are now well established. In therapy, multimodal non-pharmacologic pain management interventions are effective at improving clinical outcomes.

This 81-year-old woman was admitted to a skilled nursing facility following hospitalization for acute respiratory failure. She was intubated (tube inserted in airway to assist with breathing), had pneumonia caused by aspiration (material entering the lungs), and oropharyngeal dysphagia (difficulty chewing and swallowing). As a result, she was referred for speech language pathology (SLP) services. Although she had a history of dysphagia from previous spinal surgery, she was able to consume a diet of regular food and thin liquids prior to this hospitalization.

As dementia progresses, the ability to think clearly and function independently becomes impaired. Traditional therapy becomes increasingly difficult in this population and goal-oriented rehab with biofeedback may be a key factor in improving function.

Respiratory Research Summary:

This 71-year-old gentleman was admitted to a skilled nursing facility following hospitalization due to COVID-19 with pneumonia, chronic respiratory failure, and exacerbation of asthma. He was weak and required 5 liters per minute of supplemental oxygen. Prior to hospitalization, he lived at home, was independent with all self-care and mobility, and did not use supplemental oxygen.

Foundational Exercises Using OmniFlow^® Breathing Therapy Biofeedback System