The timed Swallowing Performance EATing and drinking (SPEAT) test to objectify dysphagia in head and neck cancer patients

Despite the wide range of possible assessment methods for swallowing function,
the correlation between the objective and subjective assessment methods seem
poor. This suggests that the present objective tools do not assess the same
aspects of swallowing and eating in daily life as the subjective measures. As
an extension of the timed 100mL water swallow test (WST), we developed the
Swallowing Performance EATing and drinking (SPEAT)-test which includes the
measurement of time needed to consume three boluses of different consistencies.
It is an easily accessible test, requiring minimal equipment and time and can
possibly be used to objectify, evaluate and monitor swallowing function as well
as giving insight in the participation level (ICF-code) of eating and drinking
in daily life.

Primary Objective: To evaluate the feasibility and test-retest reliability of
the Swallowing Performance EATing and drinking (SPEAT)-test in assessing
swallowing function.
Secondary Objectives:
- To explore the intra- and inter-rater reliability and validity of the
SPEAT-test.
- To explore the normal values of the SPEAT-test among healthy individuals
within the age range of head and neck cancer patients.

In order to evaluate the reliability, the SPEAT-test will be performed in 80
subjects of which 40 have swallowing problems and 40 are healthy volunteerd.
Each subject will perform the test three times and a film recording of one test
will be evaluated three times. Also, outcome measures will be collected in
order to evaluate validity of the test.

The burden to the patient mainly includes the time it takes to complete the
assessment which is 75 minutes.