The Evolution of Swallowing Rehabilitation and Emergence of Biofeedback Modalities

Purpose of Review: The purpose of this review is to consolidate evidence related to the use of biofeedback in swallowing rehabilitation. Rather than a comprehensive review, we provide a historical and conceptual justification for integration of biofeedback modalities in the treatment of dysphagia. 

Recent Findings: Although biofeedback has been used for decades in/as an adjunct to muscle strengthening rehabilitation programmes, advances in our understanding of swallowing neural control provide potential for new applications of technology to facilitate swallowing recovery. New research highlights the emergence of skill-based swallowing training, which focuses on adaptation of specific components of timing and coordination in the swallowing motor plan. This research suggests positive clinical outcomes using feedback that is impairment specific and is designed with principles of neuroplasticity in mind. 

Summary: The emerging emphasis on motor control, rather than muscle strength, implicates a critical role for the use of biofeedback modalities to allow conscious insights into specific aspects of the generally obscure swallowing process.