Predicting Dysphagia-related Complications And Improving Outcomes In Patients Treated With Head And Neck Radiotherapy
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$311,597.00
Summary
This project aims to improve swallow-related quality of life in patients undergoing head and neck radiotherapy by: 1) Identifying throat muscles, critical to swallowing in order to refine future radiation strategies in order to minimise collateral damage to these critical structures; 2) Improve health care management of post-radiotherapy patients via identification of markers that predict response to therapy; 3) Evaluate a therapy to improve swallow dysfunction
An Objective Screening Test For Deglutitive Aspiration And Swallowing Function In Children With Dysphagia
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$476,641.00
Summary
Swallowing dysfunction (dysphagia) is common in children with neurological diseases such as cerebral palsy which affects 1:400 births. Fluid in the lungs during swallow (aspiration) is a serious complication causing chest infections and potentially death. We have developed a new test measuring pressures and flows during swallow which can detect abnormalities predisposing to aspiration and we will evaluate this as a screening tool.