Original Research Article
Year: 2019 | Month: September | Volume: 9 | Issue: 9 | Pages: 206-214
Validation of Feeding Handicap Index in Adolescents with Cerebral Palsy
Swapna N1, Anne Maria A2
1Associate Professor of Speech Pathology, Department of Speech-Language Pathology, All India Institute of Speech and Hearing, Mysuru, Karnataka, India.
2Clinical Supervisor-Grade I, Department of Speech and Hearing, JSS Institute of Speech and Hearing, Mysuru, Karnataka, India.
Corresponding Author: Anne Maria A
ABSTRACT
Background: Feeding and or swallowing problems tend to persist in adolescents with CP
Objective: To assess feeding and swallowing problems in the physical, functional and emotional domains in adolescents with CP using Feeding Handicap Index (FHI), a tool developed in the Indian context, and to compare the results obtained through FHI with other dysphagia assessment tools.
Methods: Cross sectional study was conducted with a random sample of 15 participants in the age range of 13 to 17.11 years. FHI was administered on the participants to assess the physical, functional and emotional domains of feeding. The functioning of oral structures during feeding was assessed through BASOFF. The different levels and severity of feeding impairments were classified through Eating and drinking ability classification system (EDACS) and Dysphagia outcome and severity Scale respectively (DOSS). Descriptive statistics was done and Spearman correlation was used to find the relationship between FHI and other dysphagia assessment tools.
Results: Administration of FHI on adolescents with CP revealed that they exhibited feeding and swallowing problems in different domains. FHI had high correlation with other western feeding assessment tools.
Conclusions: Hence FHI is an effective subjective feeding assessment tool to assess various domains of feeding in adolescents.
What this paper adds on:
- Documents the feeding and swallowing problems in adolescents with CP
- Tool to assess feeding and swallowing in the physical, functional and emotional domains in adolescents with CP
- Efficacy of the tool in identifying feeding and swallowing problems in adolescents with CP
Key words: Feeding handicap Index, Adolescents, Cerebral palsy, feeding and swallowing