Examination of the relationship between swallowing and respiratory performances by tele-evaluation method on geriatric people

The aim of this study is to examine the relationship between swallowing performance and respiratory performance in elderly individuals by tele-assessment method. A total of 57 elderly individuals over the age of 65 who applied to the geriatric clinic were included in the study. The physical performances of the participants were measured face-to-face with the 4 Meter Walk Test, and their swallowing and respiration assessments were measured with the tele-assessment method. Turkish Eating Assessment Tool (T-EAT-10), Functional Oral Intake Scale, Yale Swallowing Test, Repetitive Saliva Swallowing Test (RSST) and Reflux Symptom Index (RSI) were used for swallowing evaluation. Roth Score, Multidimensional Dyspnea Profile (MDP), Maximum Phonation Time (MDP) were used for respiratory evaluation. The participants' fatigue was evaluated with the Modified Borg Scale and their quality of life related to swallowing using the Turkish Swallowing Quality of Life Questionnaire (T-SWAL-QOL) and tele-assessment method. Participants were divided into two groups according to the presence of swallowing disorder symptoms. According to the findings obtained by tele-assessment, the Turkish Eating Assessment Tool used in swallowing assessment, Repetitive Saliva Swallowing Test and Reflux Symptom Index, and respiratory performance evaluated by Roth Score counting number and counting time (r=-0.717, r=-0.691; r=0.709 , r=0.668; r=-0.655, r=-0.818 respectively), perception of dyspnea assessed by the Multidimensional Dyspnea Profile immediate perception and emotional response areas (r=0.783, r=0.777; r=-0.688, r=-0.702; r=0.716, r=0.760, respectively), respiratory control as assessed by Maximum Phonation Time in both women and men (r=-0.404, r=-0.375; r=0.598, r=0.530; r=-0.372, r=-0.596, respectively) were associated. The respiratory performances of the group with swallowing disorder symptoms were different from the group without (p<0.01). Swallowing and respiratory performances were not associated with physical performance (p>0.05). It was determined that there was a relationship between swallowing and respiratory performances and fatigue and most of the sub-parameters of quality of life related to swallowing (p<0.05). As a result; Swallowing and respiratory performances are related to each other in elderly individuals. It was thought that tele-assessment methods would be an important option in improving the quality of life and service in elderly individuals.