Reliability, validity and clinical application of temporal and amplitude analyses using pharyngeal highresolution manometry

After stroke, the majority of patients will experience difficulties swallowing, termed dysphagia. This is a critical impairment as it can place patients at increased risk of developing chest infections or even facing an increased risk of death.

Thus, the proposed research programme will provide directives for refining the use of evaluation tools in the clinical assessment of swallowing problems. This is will be done by investigating a technique termed manometry, which measures throat pressure when swallowing. Manometry is important because it is one of the only ways to measure swallowing objectively, however, there is disagreement on the most valid and realiable way to analyse manometric data.

The results from this study will have great importance both locally and globally. In Christchurch alone, there are two manometry systems used in clinical practice, one of which operates in the busy Christchurch Hospital. Thus, the results of this project will lead to an immediate improvement in patient care, helping to keep patients safe and swallowing effectively.