Effect of Head Lift Exercise on Knowledge, Practice, and Swallowing Function among Patients with Dysphagia

Adel Amer Ismael, Nevin; Mohamed Ibrahim Abdelal, Mona; Mohamed Ahmed Ayed, Manal; Elmadbouh, Gehan

doi:10.21608/ejhc.2024.366412

Effect of Head Lift Exercise on Knowledge, Practice, and Swallowing Function among Patients with Dysphagia

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

¹ Assistant Professor of Medical-Surgical Nursing, Faculty of Nursing, Menoufia University, Egypt.

² Assistance Professor at Medical-Surgical Nursing, Faculty of Nursing, Beni-Suef University

³ Assistant Professor of Pediatric Nursing, Faculty of Nursing, Sohag University, Egypt.

⁴ Lecturer at Medical-Surgical Nursing, Faculty of Nursing, Menoufia University

10.21608/ejhc.2024.366412

Abstract

Background: The head lift exercise is a head-raising workout aiming to improve the opening of this segment, and ultimately to reduce aspiration. The aim of the study: Was to evaluate the effect of head lift exercise on knowledge, practice, and swallowing function among Patients with dysphagia. Research design: A quasi-experimental research design was used to achieve the aim of the study. Settings: The study was conducted at the neurological department at Beni-Suef University Hospital. Subjects: A convenient sample of all 50 patients with dysphagia was included in the study within six months from the previously selected setting. Tools of data collection: Tool I: Patient's Structured Interview Questionnaire, Tool II: Dysphagic Patients' Knowledge Assessment Sheet, Tool III: Dysphagic Patient's Reported Practice Assessment Sheet, and Tool IV: Gugging Swallowing Screening (GUSS) Scale. Results: The study revealed that there was an improvement with highly statistically significant differences detected between dysphagic patients' knowledge regarding head lift exercise pre-, post-two weeks, and one-month post-implementation. There was a highly statistically significant difference in the GUSS score of dysphagia level among patients pre and post-implementation of head lift exercise (P<0.001). There was a highly significant positive correlation between dysphagic patients' total knowledge, practice, and swallowing function pre-, post two weeks, and one-month post-implementation (p < 0.001). Conclusion: The study concluded that head lift exercise has a positive effect in improving knowledge, practice, and swallowing function among patients with dysphagia. Recommendation: It is recommended that head lift exercise be used in clinical settings for Patients with dysphagia in the neurological ward to improve their swallowing function. Replicate the study on a larger group; selected from different geographical areas in Egypt to obtain more generalized findings about the current study.

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