Treatment Episodes

Do oral and pharyngeal exercises help treat post-stroke dysarthria? Emily and Eva examine a recent review (Yunusova et al.), unpack why swallowing outcomes often show benefit while speech outcomes do not, discuss goal-writing pitfalls, and offer practical treatment options and compensatory strategies clinicians can use now. Citations: Marzouqah R, Huynh A, Chen JL, Boulos MI, Yunusova Y. The role of oral and pharyngeal motor exercises in post-stroke recovery: A scoping review. Clin Rehabil. 2023 May;37(5):620-635. doi: 10.1177/02692155221141395. Epub 2022 Nov 25. PMID: 36426582; PMCID: PMC10041576. Get in Touch: hello@speechtalkpod.com Or Visit Us At: www.SpeechTalkPod.com Instagram: @speechtalkpod Support: buymeacoffee.com/speechtalkpod Part of the Human Content Podcast Network

How many repetitions does it take to improve swallowing? How hard should dysphagia exercises be? And are we prescribing enough therapy to make a meaningful difference? In this episode of Speech Talk, Emily and Eva tackle a question many clinicians have asked but few were formally taught to answer: how do we dose dysphagia therapy? Using the article Exercise Prescription for Dysphagia: Intensity and Duration Manipulation by Sapienza and colleagues, they explore how principles of exercise science can help guide swallowing rehabilitation. The discussion breaks down the concepts of treatment intensity and duration, why different energy systems matter for swallowing function, and how direct and indirect dysphagia exercises may target different physiologic goals. The conversation also moves beyond the research and into real-world practice. Emily and Eva discuss the challenges of delivering adequate treatment intensity in skilled nursing facilities, strategies for increasing patient parti…

A patient survives a stroke, starts rehab, and begins making progress. But what if their greatest risk isn't behind them? In this episode of Speech Talk, Emily and Eva dive into the often-overlooked topic of recurrent stroke. While many clinicians focus on recovery, research suggests the first 90 days after a stroke may carry a surprisingly high risk for another cerebrovascular event—and the way researchers define "stroke recurrence" dramatically changes the numbers. Join us as we unpack the article Underestimation of the Early Risk of Recurrent Stroke: Evidence of the Need for a Standard Definition and discuss what these findings mean for speech-language pathologists, rehabilitation professionals, and the patients we serve. Whether you work in a SNF, hospital, home health, or outpatient setting, this episode will leave you thinking differently about patient education and the critical role clinicians play during those first three months after stroke. Because sometimes the most…

What happens when we can’t stop aspiration? In this episode, Eva and Emily talk about chronic aspiration and what happens when small, repeated events start to add up. From inflammation and airway damage to serious complications like pneumonitis and lung abscess, we break down what’s really happening in the lungs. We also connect the research to real clinical practice—what this means for your patients, how to approach treatment, and why oral care will forever be in the mix when talking about aspiration.

Setting the stage for dementia care: aka staging! Emily and Eva to examine dementia staging and its impact on care. We share our personal experiences in acute care/SNF/LTC and emphasize the importance of adaptation and effective communication for patients and families. Discussing the mild, moderate, and severe stages, we highlight care strategies tailored to each level, including compensatory techniques for early-stage patients and Montessori-inspired approaches for those in severe stages. We refer to the article "Staging and Treatment Frameworks for Dementia Management" to underscore the need for ongoing education in dementia care. I also reflect on my efforts to develop a dementia staging program, encouraging listeners to engage further in these vital discussions

In this episode, co-hosts Emily and Eva discuss the vital role of prehabilitation for head and neck cancer patients, emphasizing its importance for improving patient outcomes. They highlight the need for standardized protocols and share alarming statistics on swallowing dysfunction post-treatment. The conversation covers effective interventions like exercise programs, nutritional support, and psychosocial care, advocating for a collaborative approach among healthcare professionals. The hosts stress the necessity of early intervention and call for greater awareness and research on prehabilitation to enhance the quality of care for cancer patients.

You've tested your patient and they are sitting at a 25/30 on the MoCA. They have an MCI.. now what? In this episode, we explore mild cognitive impairment (MCI), a condition that sits between normal aging and dementia. We discuss the nuances of MCI, its subtypes, and the critical need for early identification to prevent progression to dementia. Personal anecdotes highlight the emotional challenges patients face, as we share strategies for sensitive discussions around diagnosis and care. Our conversation also includes insights from recent research on identifying high-risk MCI cases, advocating for tailored approaches to support cognitive health.

In this episode, we examine the transformative role of AI [large language models (LLMs)] like ChatGPT in speech therapy and clinical practice. While we didn't have Chat write our episode, we do discuss how ChatGPT and other AI help our practice. We delve into how these AI tools enhance clinical efficiency and support evidence-based practices, particularly in assessing dysarthria severity. Our discussion includes a review of a systematic study showcasing AI's capability to classify speech disorders objectively, addressing the challenges of traditional assessment methods. We explore innovative technologies like VoiceIt that improve communication for patients with motor speech impairments and discuss a case study on generating customizable therapy materials through AI. Throughout, we highlight the efficiency gains from AI integration, urging clinicians to embrace these advancements to enhance patient engagement and therapy outcomes.

This week, we’re diving into one of the murkiest waters of SLP practice: cognitive interventions for people with dementia. When you hear “Well, can’t you just work on following directions?”—do you cry inside? Same. That’s why we’re unpacking a meta-analysis to give you the research-backed confidence to stand your ground. We reviewed “Do cognitive interventions improve general cognition in dementia? A meta-analysis and meta-regression” by Huntley et al. to understand what works, what doesn’t, and what’s still unclear when it comes to treating dementia in a meaningful way. Spoiler alert: only treatment shown to have a positive impact on standardized testing, but there’s still a long way to go when it comes to proving quality-of-life improvements. You’ll learn: The difference between Cognitive Therapy (CT), Cognitive Stimulation (CS), and Cognitive Rehabilitation (CR) What type of cognitive intervention showed the most promise in research Why “following directions” is not a val…

Get ready to brush up on your oral care knowledge! 🦷 In this episode, Emily and Eva explore the world of oral hygiene products in SNF care and highlight the Lemon swab. Talking about what works, what doesn’t, and what might actually be harmful. Whether you're an SLP, nurse, OT, or just really into responsible toothbrushing, listen up because this was made for you! Breaking down the findings of the article “Hospital Mouth: Dental Aids May Cause Dental Erosion” by Meurman et al., which tested the impact of common oral care tools on dental health. Spoiler: not all swabs are created equal. Learn what to watch for in your patients with limited oral control, dry mouth, or persistent open oral posture, and how to adapt your practice with safety and dignity in mind. You’ll learn: The pros and cons of different oral care products used in medical settings Why lemon-glycerin swabs might be more harmful than helpful How to adapt oral care routines for patients with dysphagia or reduce…

Training medication management? In this episode, we address the challenges of medication management for older adults with cognitive impairments, sharing our insights from high-turnover facilities. We review the research on medication self-management skills, revealing significant difficulties these individuals face. Our discussion highlights the importance of comprehensive education, cognitive screenings, and family involvement in medication management. We brainstorm effective strategies, such as hands-on kits and tailored assessments, while exploring cognitive errors and minimizing distractions during tasks. Our hope is that this will empower you in your practice to break out some medication bottles and challenge those clients!