SPEECH THERAPY REHABILITATION IN VICTIMS OF SPINAL CORD TRAUMA WITH OROPHARYNGEAL DYSPHAGIA

Abstract

Objective: to describe the rehabilitation strategies and techniques used and the effects of the speech therapy approach in dysphagic patients victims of spinal cord trauma. Method: this is a retrospective and documentary study. Data collection was performed through documentary analysis, from July to December 2019. Included were individuals admitted and followed up by the speech therapy service of a reference hospital in trauma in the state of Bahia, with oropharyngeal dysphagia, without compromising the system central nervous system or during the traumatic event. The data collected were tabulated in the Excel program (Version 2007), a descriptive statistical analysis was performed, and the variables were described by absolute frequency. Results: as a therapeutic method, in the group of tracheostomized subjects, indirect and direct therapy was used in 100% of the sample. In the group of non-tracheostomized subjects, direct therapy was predominant. Most of the sample had their oral diet already released in the speech-language evaluation, except for tracheostomized individuals, as they presented severe dysphagia at the beginning of rehabilitation. Most of the subjects in the group of non-tracheostomized patients were already on an oral diet when admitted by speech therapists. Oral feeding was the main result in all individuals and decannulation among tracheostomized subjects. Conclusion: The strategies and techniques used for rehabilitation through indirect and direct therapy contributed to the removal of SNE, progression of oral diet and decannulation in this population, as well as reducing the risks of clinical problems such as bronchoaspiration, demonstrating therapeutic efficacy.