Eating, drinking and swallowing resources

Please note: the resources on this page are provided for informational purposes only. No endorsement is expressed or implied, unless otherwise stated. While we make every effort to ensure this page is up to date and relevant, we cannot take responsibility for pages maintained by external providers. These resources replace our previous dysphagia resources.

Last updated: March 2025

Back to Eating, drinking and swallowing

 

RCSLT Guidance Info
The RCSLT develops guidance to promote good clinical and professional practice in line with HCPC standards. Please read our statement on guidance to understand how it is developed and how to use it.
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RCSLT resources

NICE guidelines

Other guidelines

Policy – England

Here you will find links to relevant national legislation, policy and frameworks. Please note that this list is not exhaustive. Please contact us if you have any suggestions.  

 

Policy – Wales

Here you will find links to relevant national legislation, policy and frameworks. Please note that this list is not exhaustive. Please contact us if you have any suggestions. 

Policy – Scotland

Here you will find links to relevant national legislation, policy and frameworks. Please note that this list is not exhaustive. Please contact us if you have any suggestions. 

Policy – Northern Ireland

Here you will find links to relevant national legislation, policy and frameworks. Please note that this list is not exhaustive. Please contact us if you have any suggestions.  

eLearning

Further reading

Ageing

  • Hudson, H.M., Daubert, C.R. & Mills, R.H. (2000) ‘The interdependency of protein-energy malnutrition, aging, and dysphagia’, Dysphagia, 15(1), pp.31-38, https://doi.org/10.1007/s004559910007 
  • Leiman, D. A., Jones, H. N., North, R., Porter Starr, K. N., Pieper, C. F., & Cohen, S. M. (2023) ‘Self-reported dysphagia and psychosocial health among community-dwelling older adults: Results of a national study’. Journal of general internal medicine, 38(15), pp3329-3338. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11606-023-08232-1 
  • Ribeiro, M., Miquilussi, P.A., Gonçalves, F.M. et al. (2024) The prevalence of oropharyngeal dysphagia in adults: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Dysphagia, 39, 163–176. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00455-023-10608-8 
  • Seshadri, S., Sellers, C. R., & Kearney, M. H. (2018) ‘Balancing eating with breathing: Community-dwelling older adults’ experiences of dysphagia and texture-modified diets’, Gerontologist, 13;58(4), pp749-758, https://doi.org/10.1093/geront/gnw203 
  • Tibbling, L. & Gustafsson, B. (1991) ‘Dysphagia and its consequences in the elderly’, Dysphagia. 6(4), pp200-202, https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02493526. 

Dysphagia devices 

  • Adams, V., Mathisen, B., Baines, S., Lazarus, C., & Callister, R. (2013) A systematic review and meta-analysis of measurements of tongue and hand strength and endurance using the Iowa Oral Performance Instrument (IOPI). Dysphagia, 28(3), 350–369. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00455-013-9451-3 
  • Hang, M., & Morris, N. (2022). ‘Introducing IQoro: A licnically effective oral neuromuscular treatment for d’, in Ahmed, M., (ed) Dysphagia – New Advances.  IntechOpen.  http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.95743 

End of life

Equality, diversity and inclusion

Head and neck cancer

  • Baijens, L. W. J., Walshe, M., Aaltonen, L. M., Arens, C., Cordier, R., Cras, P., Crevier-Buchman, L., Curtis, C., Golusinski, W., Govender, R., Eriksen, J. G., Hansen. K., Heathcote, K., Hess, M. M., Hosal, S., Klussmann, J. P., Leemans, C. R., MacCarthy, D., Manduchi, B., Marie, J. P., Nouraei, R., Parkes, C., Pflug, C., Pilz, W., Regan, J., Rommel, N., Schindler, A., Schols, A. M. W. J., Speyer, R., Succo, G., Wessel, I., Willemsen, A. C. H., Yilmaz, T., & Clavé, P. (2022) European white paper: oropharyngeal dysphagia in head and neck cancer. European archives of  otorhinolaryngology, 278(2), pp577-616. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00405-020-06507-5. 
  •  Bandeira, A.K.C., Azevedo, E.H., Vartanian, J.G., Nishimoto, I.N., Kowalski, L.P. & Carrara-de Angelis, E. (2008) Quality of life related to swallowing after tongue cancer treatment. Dysphagia, 23(2), pp.183-192. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00455-007-9124-1 

Learning disabilities

Neonates – general

Neonates

Oral health

  • British Association for the Study of Community Dentistry and Public Health England. (2014) ‘Delivering better oral health. An evidence based toolkit for prevention@. Third Edition. Available at: Delivering better oral health: an evidence-based toolkit for prevention – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk) (Accessed 16th July 2024) 
  • Kaddour, S., Sowerbutts, J., & Shah, S. (2017) Exploring barriers to oral health among young carers in Surrey, England.  The Lancet meeting abstracts, 390 (S51). https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(17)32986-0 
  • Ortega, O., Parra, C., Zarcero, S., Nart, J., Sakwinsha, O., & Clave, P. l. (2014) ‘Oral health in older patients with oro-pharyngeal dysphagia’, Age and ageing, 43, pp132-137, https://doi.org/10.1093/ageing/aft164 

Other 

Outcome measures  

  • Chan, K. M. K., Chan, H. K. W., Siu, J. Y. L., Pu, D., Nund, R. L., & Ward, E. C. (2019). Impact of head and neck cancer treatment on survivors’ mealtime experience. The Laryngoscope, 129(7), pp1572–1578. https://doi.org/10.1002/lary.27501 
  • Chen, A. Y., Frankowski, R., Bishop-Leone, J., Hebert, T., Leyk, S., Lewin, J., & Goepfert, H. (2001) ‘The development and validation of a dysphagia specific quality of life questionnaire for patients with head and neck cancer’. Archives in otolaryngology and head and neck surgery, 127(7), pp 870-876.  Available from https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamaotolaryngology/fullarticle/482382 (Accessed 8th October 2024) 
  • Enderby, P., John, A., & Petheram, B. (2013) Therapy outcome measures for rehabilitation professionals: Speech and language therapy, Physiotherapy, Occupational therapy, 2nd Edition.  Wiley. 
  • Govender, R., Lee, M. T., Drinnan, M., Davies, T., Twinn, C., & Hilari, K. (2016) Psychometric evaluation of the Swallowing Outcomes After Laryngectomy (SOAL) patient-reported outcome measure. Head Neck, 38(1), E1639-45. https://doi.org/10.1002/hed.24291 
  • Hutcheson, K. A., Barrow, M. P., Barringer, D. A., Knott, J. K., Lin, H. Y., Weber, R. S., Fuller, C. D., Lai, C. L., May, A., Patterson, J-A., Roe, J. W. G., Starmer, H. M., Lewin, J. S. (2018) Dynamic imaging grade of swallowing toxicity (DIGEST): Scale development and validation.  Cancer, 123(1), pp62-70.  https://doi.org/10.1371%2Fjournal.pone.0243805 
  • Johansson, M., Karlsson, T., & Finizia, C. (2020) Further validation of the Gothenburg trismus questionnaire (GTQ). PLoS One, 15(2), e0243805. https://doi.org/10.1371%2Fjournal.pone.0243805 
  • List, M. A., Ritter-Sterr, C., & Lansky SB. (1990) A performance status scale for head and neck cancer patients. Cancer, 66(3), pp564-9. https://doi.org/10.1002/1097-0142(19900801)66:3<564::aid-cncr2820660326>3.0.co;2-d 
  • McHorney, C. A., Bricker, D. E., Kramer, A. E., Rosenbek, J. C., Robbins, J., Chignell, K. A., Logemann, J. A., & Clarke, C. (2000) ‘The SWAL-QOL outcomes tool for oropharyngeal dysphagia in adults: I. Conceptual foundation and item development’. Dysphagia, 15(3), pp115-21, https://doi.org/10.1007/s004550010012 
  •  McHorney, C. A., Robbins, J., Lomax, K., Rosenbek, J. C., Chignell, K., Kramer, A. E., & Bricker, D. E. (2002) ‘The SWAL-QOL and SWAL-CARE outcomes tool for oropharyngeal dysphagia in adults: III. Documentation of reliability and validity’, Dysphagia, 17(2), pp97-114, https://doi.org/10.1007/s00455-001-0109-1 
  • Starmer, H. M., Arrese, L., Langmore, S., Ma, Y., Murray, J., Patterson, J., Pisegna, J., Roe, J., Tabor-Gray, L., & Hutcheson, K. (2021) Adaption and validation of the dynamic imaging grade of swallowing toxicity for flexible endoscopic evaluation of swallowing: DIGEST-FEES. Journal of speech, language and hearing research, 64(6), pp1802-1810.  https://doi.org/10.1044/2021_JSLHR-21-00014 

Paediatrics

  •  Arvedson, J. C., Brodsky, L., & Lefton-Greif, M. A. (2020) Pediatric swallowing and feeding. Assessment and management. 3rd edn. USA: Plural Publishing Inc.  
  • APCP (2024) The Association of Paediatric Chartered Physiotherapists Respiratory Risk Identification Matrix for Children and Young People with Neurological Impairment. ACPC Risk Identification Matrix 
  • Caldarelli, V., Porcaro, F., Filippo, P. D., Attanasi, M., Fainardi, V., Gallucci, M., Mazza, A., Ullmann, N., & La Grutta, S. (2022) ‘Long-term ventilation in children with Medical complexity: A challenging issue’, Children, 9(11), 1700, https://doi.org/10.3390/children9111700 
  • Goday, P. S., Huh, S. Y., Silverman, A., Lukens, C. T., Dodrill, P., Cohen, S. S., Delaney, A. L., Feuling, M. B., Noel, R. J., Gisel, E., Kenzer, A., Kessler, D. B., Kraus de Camargo, O., Browne, J., & Phalen, J. A. (2019). Pediatric Feeding Disorder: Consensus Definition and Conceptual Framework. Journal of pediatric gastroenterology and nutrition, 68(1), 124–129. https://doi.org/10.1097/MPG.0000000000002188  
  • NHSGGC (2024) Oral hygiene for the highly dependent or critically ill infant or child.  Available from  Oral hygiene for the highly dependent or critically ill infant or child (scot.nhs.uk) (accessed 10th September 2024). 
  • Simione M, Dartley AN, Cooper-Vince C, Martin V, Hartnick C, Taveras EM, Fiechtner L. (2020) Family-centered outcomes that matter most to parents: A paediatric feeding disorders qualitative study. Journal of paediatric gastroenterology and nutrition, 71(2), pp270-275. https://doi.org/10.1097/MPG.0000000000002741 
  • Sobotka, S. A., Laudon, S., Jackson, A. J., Harendt, S. E., & Baker, C. D. (2022). A literature review of feeding disorders in children with tracheostomies and ventilators. Pediatric annals, 51(7), e291–e296. https://doi.org/10.3928/19382359-20220504-05
  • Van den Engel-Hoel, L., Harding, C., van Gerven, M., & Cockerill, H. (2017) ‘Pediatric feeding and swallowing rehabilitation: An overview’. Journal of pediatric rehabilitation medicine, 10 (2), pp. 95-105, https://doi.org/10.3233/PRM-170435 

Progressive conditions

  •  Battel, I., Arienti, C., Del Furia, M. J., Hirschwald, J., Lazzarini, S. G., & Walshe, M.  (2024) ‘Rehabilitation interventions for oropharyngeal dysphagia in people with Parkinson’s disease’. Cochrane database of systematic reviews 26;2024(1):CD015816. https://doi.org/10.1002/14651858.CD015816 
  • Hirschwald, J., Hofacker, J., Duncan, S., & Walshe, M. (2023) ‘Swallowing outcomes in dysphagia interventions in Parkinson’s disease: a scoping review’. British medical journal evidence based medicine, 28(2), pp111-118. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjebm-2022-112082 
  • Narayan, S., Pietrusz, A., Allen, J., DiMarco, M., Docherty, K., Emery, N., Ennis, M., Flesher, R., Foo, W., Freebody, J., Gallagher, E., Grose, N., Harris, D., Hewamadduma, C., Holmes, S., James, M. K., Maidment, L., Mayhew, A., Moat, D., Moorcroft, N., Muni-Lofra, R., Nevin, K., Quinlivan, R., Slimming, J., Sodhi, J., Stuart, D., & Julien, Y. (2022) ‘Adult North Star Network (ANSN): Consensus document for therapists working with adults with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD) – Therapy guidelines’, Journal of neuromuscular diseases, 9(3), pp365-381, https://doi.org/10.3233/JND-210707 
  • Stavroulakis, T., Baird, W. O., Baxter, S. K., Walsh, T., Shaw, P. J., & McDermott, C. J. (2016) ‘The impact of gastrostomy in motor neurone disease: Challenges and benefits from a patient and carer perspective’, British medical journal supportive & palliative care, 6(1), pp52-59, https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjspcare-2013-000609 

Rehabilitation and interventions

  •  Burkhead, L. M., Sapienza, C. M., & Rosenbek, J. C. (2007) ‘Strength-training exercise in dysphagia rehabilitation: principles, procedures, and directions for future research’. Dysphagia, 22(3), pp251-65. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00455-006-9074-z 
  • Carnaby, G. D., LaGorio, L., Silliman, S., & Crary, M. (2020) ‘Exercise-based swallowing intervention (McNeill Dysphagia Therapy) with adjunctive NMES to treat dysphagia post-stroke: A double-blind placebo-controlled trial’. Journal of oral rehabilitation, 47(4), pp501-510. https://doi.org/10.1111/joor.12928 
  • Carrau, R. L., & Murry, T. (1998) Comprehensive management of swallowing disorders. San Diego: Singular Publishers Group.  
  • Choy,  J., Pourkazemi, F., Anderson, C., & Bogaardt, H. (2023) ‘Dosages of swallowing exercises prescribed in stroke rehabilitation: A medical record audit’. Dysphagia, 38(2), pp686-699. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00455-022-10500-x
  • Easterling, C. (2018) ‘Management and treatment of patients with dysphagia’. Current physical medicine and rehabilitation reports, 6, pp213–219 https://doi.org/10.1007/s40141-018-0196-7  
  •  Hutcheson, K. A., Barrow, M. P., Plowman, E. K., Lai, S. Y., Fuller, C. D., Barringer, D. A., Eapen, G., Wang, Y., Hubbard, R., Jimenez, S. K., Little, L. G., & Lewin, J. S. (2018) Expiratory muscle strength training for radiation-associated aspiration after head and neck cancer: A case series. The laryngoscope, 128(5), pp1044-1051.  https://doi.org/10.1002/lary.26845 
  •  Krekeler, B. N., Rowe, L. M., & Connor, N. P. (2020) ‘Dose in exercise-based dysphagia therapies: A scoping review’. Dysphagia, 36(1), pp1-32. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00455-020-10104-3 
  •  Langmore, S. E., & Pisegna, J. M. (2015) ‘Efficacy of exercises to rehabilitate dysphagia: A critique of the literature’. International journal of speech language pathology, 17(3), pp222-9, https://doi.org/10.3109/17549507.2015.1024171 
  • Liu, J., Wang, Q., Tian, J., Zhou, W., Gao, Y., Chen, X., Zhang, W., Gao, Y., & Zhou, L. (2023) ‘Effects of chin tuck against resistance exercise on post-stroke dysphagia rehabilitation: A systematic review and meta-analysis’, Frontiers in neurology,  13, 1109140., https://doi.org/10.3389/fneur.2022.1109140 
  •  O’Keeffe, S. T., Leslie, P., Lazenby-Paterson, T., McCurtin, A., Collins, L., Murray, A., Smith, A., & Mulkerrin, S. (2023) ‘Informed or misinformed consent and use of modified texture diets in dysphagia’. British medical council medical ethics, 7;24(1), p7, https://doi.org/10.1186/s12910-023-00885-1 

Respiratory disease and respiratory health

  •  Gillman, A., Winkler, R., & Taylor, N. F. (2017) Implementing the free water protocol does not result in aspiration pneumonia in carefully selected patients with dysphagia: A systematic review. Dysphagia, 32(3), pp345-361. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00455-016-9761-3
  • Van der Maarel-Wierink, C. D., Vanobbergen, J. N., Bronkhorst, E. M., Schols, J. M., & de Baat, C. (2011) Risk factors for aspiration pneumonia in frail older people: a systematic literature review. Journal of American medical directors association, 12(5), pp344-54. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jamda.2010.12.099 
  •  Steidl, E., Ribeiro, C. S., Gonçalves, B. F., Fernandes, N., Antunes, V., & Mancopes, R. (2015). Relationship between dysphagia and exacerbations in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: A literature review. International archives of otorhinolaryngology, 19(1), 74–79. https://doi.org/10.1055/s-0034-1376430 
  • Li, W., Gao, M., Liu, J., Zhang, F., Yuan, R., Su, Q., Wang, Y., & Wang, Y. (2022). The prevalence of oropharyngeal dysphagia in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Expert review of respiratory medicine, 16(5), 567–574. https://doi.org/10.1080/17476348.2022.2086123 

Stroke

  • Bath, P. M., Lee, H. S., & Everton, L. F. (2018) ‘Swallowing therapy for dysphagia in acute and subacute stroke’. Cochrane database of systematic reviews, 10(10):CD000323. https://doi.org/10.1002/14651858.CD000323.pub3 
  • Choi-Kwon, S., Kim, H.S., Kwon, S.U. & Kim, J.S. (2005) ‘Factors affecting the burden on caregivers of stroke survivors in South Korea’. Archives of physical medicine and rehabilitation. 86(5), pp1043-1048. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apmr.2004.09.013 
  • Daniels, S. K., Huckabee, M., & Gozdzikowska, K. (2018). Dysphagia following Stroke. United States: Plural Publishing, Incorporated.  
  • Doggett, D. L., Tappe, K. A., Mitchell, M. D., Chapell, R., Coates, V., Turkelson, C. M. (2001) ‘Prevention of pneumonia in elderly stroke patients by systematic diagnosis and treatment of dysphagia: an evidence-based comprehensive analysis of the literature’. Dysphagia, 16(4):279-95. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00455-001-0087-3 
  • Moon, J. H., Jung, J. H., Won, Y. S., Cho, H. Y., & Cho, K. (2017) ‘Effects of expiratory muscle strength training on swallowing function in acute stroke patients with dysphagia’, Journal of physical therapy science, 29(4), pp609-612, https://doi.org/10.1589/jpts.29.609 
  • Odderson, I.R., Keaton, J.C. & McKenna, B.S. (1995) ‘Swallow management in patients on an acute stroke pathway: quality is cost effective’. Archives of physical medicine and rehabilitation, 76(12), pp.1130-1133, https://doi.org/10.1016/s0003-9993(95)80121-9 
  • Smithard, D.G., O’Neill, P.A., Park, C.L., Morris, J., Wyatt, R., England, R. & Martin, D.F. (1996) ‘Complications and outcome after acute stroke: does dysphagia matter?’, Stroke, 27(7), pp1200- 1204, https://doi.org/10.1161/01.STR.27.7.1200 

Training 

Well-being and quality of life

  • Howells, S., Cornwell, P., Ward, E., & Kuipers, P. (2021). ‘Living with dysphagia in the community: Caregivers “do whatever it takes.” ‘ Dysphagia, 36, https://doi.org/10.1007/s00455-020-10117-y 
  •  Jones, E., Speyer, R., Kertscher, B., Denman, D., Swan, K., & Cordier, R. (2018) ‘Health-related quality of life and oropharyngeal dysphagia: A systematic review’. Dysphagia, 33(2), pp141-172. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00455-017-9844-9 
  •  Perry, S. E., Borders, J. C., Dakin, A. E., & Troche, M. S. (2022) ‘Characterizing quality of life in caregivers of people with Parkinson’s Disease and dysphagia’, Dysphagia, 37(3), pp523-532, https://doi.org/10.1007/s00455-021-10299-z 
  •  Smith, R., Bryant, L., & Hemsley, B. (2022) ‘The true cost of dysphagia on quality of life: The views of adults with swallowing disability’, International journal of language and communication disorders, 58(2):451-466, https://doi.org/10.1111/1460-6984.12804 
  •  Smith, R., Bryant, L., & Hemsley, B. (2022) “Know the risks but balance that with their enjoyment”: Impacts of dysphagia on quality of life from the perspectives of allied health professionals’, Advances in communication and swallowing, 25, pp83–95, https://doi.org/10.3233/ACS-220012 
  •  Smith, R., Bryant, L., & Hemsley, B. (2022a) ‘Dysphagia and quality of life, participation, and inclusion experiences and outcomes for adults and children with dysphagia: A scoping review’, Perspectives of the ASHA Special Interest Groups, 7(1), 181-196, https://doi.org/10.1044/2021_PERSP-21-00162