Endoscopic biofeedback training (Curtis, 2024)

Purpose: Endoscopic biofeedback training is a type of augmented extrinsic feedback that provides information about physiological processes and bolus flow information through the use of flexible endoscopy. The goal of this tutorial is to describe why and how to incorporate endoscopic biofeedback training into cough and swallowing treatment when working with people with dystussia and dysphagia.

Method: In this tutorial, we will review the diagnostic advantages and limitations of flexible endoscopic evaluation of swallowing as it relates to biofeedback training. We will then (a) review what is known about endoscopic biofeedback training in the field of speech-language pathology; (b) identify which airway protective behaviors clinicians might be best suited for endoscopic biofeedback training; and (c) provide a guide, including sample scripts and video demonstrations, that clinicians can use to aide in the implementation of endoscopic biofeedback training.

Conclusions: Endoscopic biofeedback training for cough and swallowing habilitation and rehabilitation may be a useful addition to a speech-language pathologist’s therapeutic armamentarium. However, more research is needed to comprehensively characterize the long-term effects on endoscopic biofeedback training on cough and swallowing treatment-related outcomes.

Supplemental Material S1. Bolus holding sample script.

Supplemental Material S2. Breath holding sample script.

Supplemental Material S3. Mendelsohn maneuver sample script.

Curtis, J. A. (2024). Endoscopic biofeedback training for cough and swallowing: The what, why, and how. Perspectives of the ASHA Special Interest Groups. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1044/2023_PERSP-23-00190