Validation of Questionnaire for Chewing and Swallowing Function of the Elderly

Park, Hyoung Su; Kim, Don kyu; Lee, Sang Yi; Kim, Hee Sang; Suh, Hoon Chang

Abstract

OBJECTIVE
This study aims to develop a new screening dysphagia questionnaire for elderly people. METHOD: Initial questionnaire for mastication and swallowing function of elderly people were composed of 20 questions. Total of 30 experts were invited to participate in the Delphi survey, including physiatrists, occupational therapists and dietitians. Modified Delphi method was performed into two rounds. Twenty young adults and twenty elderly volunteers were tested with these items and were compared with other pre-existing tests. Also, validity of selected evaluating items was tested using VFSS. RESULT: For the first round of surveys, a consensus was reached on 72.5% of the questionnaire. Final agreement was reached on 98% of the questionnaire. The results of the first round survey with the 20 evaluation items and second round showed that the content validity ratio (CVR) and stability were high enough and met the criteria of consistent agreement from a group of specialists. The final round survey following the 1st and 2nd round survey was implemented, which finally reduced to 14 items from initial 20 items. The researcher allocated the items into the 3 categories. The score of the developed item were highly correlated with that of the pre-existing screening questionnaire and time parameters of the VFSS showing a significant difference according to the score.
CONCLUSION
We developed a screening tool for evaluation of chewing nad swallowing function for the elderly people. Though it is necessary to be verified through large scale clinical studies, it may be simply applicable to the elderly people with mastication and swallowing dysfunction or could be evaluated by caregivers.