Swallow Solutions, the manufacturers of the SwallowSTRONG dyspagia therapy device, are pleased to share the results of a study that was recently published in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society.

The study, entitled Effects of Device-Facilitated Isometric Progressive Resistance Oropharyngeal Therapy on Swallowing and Health-Related Outcomes in Older Adults with Dysphagia provides evidence that devices by Swallow Solutions can lead to positive outcomes for both patients and facilities.

Patients with dysphagia, or difficulty swallowing, underwent lingual strengthening therapy with Swallow Solutions devices. Their health and well-being were tracked for the 17 months after completing therapy.

Among the findings during that time were: a 67 percent decline in pneumonia diagnoses, a 61 percent drop in hospital admissions, and improved lingual strength in patients.

As patients improved their lingual strength, they reported less difficulty swallowing and improved quality of life, noting specifically an increased desire for food, improved mental health, better social well-being, and less fatigue associated with eating.

The facility also saw an impact on their bottom line, as bed days among these patients decreased by 56 percent, resulting in cost-savings of more than one million dollars.

The study was performed by Nicole Rogus-Pulia, Nicole Rusche, Jacqueline A. Hind, Jill Zielinski, Ronald Gangnon, Nasia Safdar and JoAnne Robbins. You can view the study by clicking here.