The Pulse

This 66-year-old gentleman was admitted to a skilled nursing facility following a two-month hospitalization due to COVID-19 with pneumonia. He was weak and required 6 liters per minute of supplemental oxygen. Prior to hospitalization, he lived at home and was independent with all self-care and mobility.

Aging results in a loss of muscle mass (sarcopenia) and a decrease in muscle strength, which can lead to functional impairment and frailty. Research highlights the impact of frailty on individuals and how exercise and rehab technology may counteract this decline.

Synchrony: Mendelsohn Maneuver

Mendelsohn Maneuver is not commonly utilized as a swallowing intervention, but has been shown to provide lasting rehabilitative effects.

This 80-year-old woman experienced severe debility following hospitalization for COVID-19 with pneumonia. She was referred to a skilled nursing facility for rehabilitation services including speech therapy to address poor voice quality, and difficulty breathing while eating. She also required 3 liters per minute of supplemental oxygen. Prior to hospitalization, she had no limitations in speaking and eating.

This 82-year-old woman was unable to get up after falling at home. As a result of laying on her left side for more than 24 hours after the fall, she experienced tissue injury on her right hip that progressed over time to a non-healing unstageable (depth not visible) pressure wound. She was referred to outpatient physical therapy for wound healing and fall prevention. Prior to her fall, this woman lived alone and walked with a walker.

Individuals with cardiopulmonary conditions often present with dyspnea, severe weakness, poor endurance, limited mobility, and decreased activity tolerance. As their disease state progresses, their ability to perform activities of daily living (ADLs) declines, ultimately leading to a loss of independence. A therapy plan of care that includes breathing exercises, energy conservation techniques (e.g., paced activity, assistive device, task planning), and ventilatory strategies may improve the individual’s breathing and functional performance as well as help maintain independence.

Dysphagia Research Summaries:

This 78-year-old woman (a left below knee amputee for 30-years) suffered a stroke and received four weeks of inpatient rehabilitation. Due to severe hip pain and inability to perform self-care, she was then referred to a skilled nursing facility for rehabilitation services. Prior to her stroke, this woman lived alone and was independent with self-care and mobility while wearing her prosthesis.

Focused Clinical Application
Synchrony: Skill-Based Typical Swallow Interventions