一項涵蓋 14 項研究、共 571 人的綜合分析顯示,在儀器檢查下,低頭吞嚥可以減少食物落入氣管的程度(Li et al., 2024)。不過,另一項大型隨機對照試驗發現,低頭吞嚥組和兩個飲用加稠飲品的組別,在三個月內患肺炎的比率並沒有明顯分別(Robbins et al., 2008)。亦有研究指出,不同病人對低頭吞嚥和加稠飲品的反應相差很大,不能一概而論(Logemann et al., 2008)。因此,患者是否適合用低頭吞嚥、要配合哪種食物質地,應由言語治療師做吞嚥造影(VFSS/FEES)評估後決定,不要自己試用。
不是。儀器檢查顯示,低頭吞嚥可減少部分病人的吸入(綜合分析顯示吸入程度下降;Li et al., 2024)。但大型隨機對照試驗發現,它未有降低三個月內的實際肺炎風險(Robbins et al., 2008),而且個別差異很大(Logemann et al., 2008)。是否採用及如何採用,應由言語治療師按吞嚥造影評估逐一判斷,不應一律套用。
Metheny, N. A. Preventing Aspiration in Older Adults with Dysphagia. Hartford Institute for Geriatric Nursing, “Try This” Series, Issue 20. hign.org
Li, Y., et al. (2024). Effect of the chin-down posture on aspiration in patients with dysphagia: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Journal of Oral Rehabilitation, 51(3). PubMed
Robbins, J., Gensler, G., Hind, J., et al. (2008). Comparison of 2 interventions for liquid aspiration on pneumonia incidence: a randomized trial. Annals of Internal Medicine, 148(7), 509–518. PubMed
Logemann, J. A., Gensler, G., Robbins, J., et al. (2008). A randomized study of three interventions for aspiration of thin liquids in patients with dementia or Parkinson's disease. Journal of Speech, Language, and Hearing Research, 51(1), 173–183. PubMed
Yoneyama, T., Yoshida, M., Ohrui, T., et al. (2002). Oral care reduces pneumonia in older patients in nursing homes. Journal of the American Geriatrics Society, 50(3), 430–433. PubMed
British Red Cross / Resuscitation Council UK. Adult choking — first aid advice (back blows and abdominal thrusts). redcross.org.uk