Effectiveness of swallow maneuvers, thermal stimulation and combination both in treatment of patients with dysphagia using functional outcome swallowing scale.

Objective: To explore the better treatment option among thermal stimulation, swallow maneuvers and the combination of both options for treatment of patients with dysphagia. Material and method: An experimental study was conducted to find the better treatment option among thermal stimulation and swallow maneuvers for treatment of the patients with dysphagia. Three groups A, B and C were made, patients were taken through purposive sample technique and groups were allocated using dice roll method. Group A received thermal stimulation, B group had swallowing maneuvers and group C is given the combination of both. Outcomes were measured through the Function Outcome Swallowing Scale (FOSS). Data was collected from tertiary care units in Lahore and analysed by SPSS 16. Results: Groups A, B and C are given thermal stimulation, swallow maneuvers and combination of both treatment options as a treatment option respectively. More beneficial results are seen in the C group, which was given the combination of swallow maneuvers and thermal stimulation. Conclusion: On the basis of results is concluded that combination of thermal stimulation and swallow maneuvers are significantly more fruitful for the treatment of dysphagia.