Treating swallowing disorders following stroke

The speech-language pathologist uses a combination of direct and indirect treatment techniques to manage dysphagia in the patient with a stroke. This article reviews a variety of these procedures, including patient and family education, sensory stimulation techniques such as modifications in bolus characteristics and thermal stimulation, compensatory postures and positioning, compensatory swallowing maneuvers, and physiotherapeutic techniques. General guidelines for selection of appropriate techniques based on clinical presentation and underlying symptoms are discussed.