Modified-Bolus Placement as a Therapeutic Tool in the Treatment of Pediatric Feeding Disorders: Analysis From a Retrospective Chart Review

J Speech Lang Hear Res. 2019 Sep 20;62(9):3123-3134. doi: 10.1044/2019_JSLHR-S-18-0268. Epub 2019 Aug 13.

Abstract

Purpose Recognizing the need to advance the treatment of pediatric feeding disorders, an emerging area of inquiry focuses on therapeutic techniques that address expulsion and packing possibly associated with oral-motor dysfunction. In the current study, we documented the use of modified-bolus placement in the treatment of pediatric feeding disorders at an intensive, multidisciplinary day-treatment center over a 26-month period. Method The retrospective observational cohort study involved patients admitted for the assessment and treatment of chronic food refusal from August 2013 to October 2015. Results Patients (n = 23) who received modified bolus placement displayed moderate-to-severe oral-motor deficits. Use of modified-bolus placement was associated with reduced expulsion and packing of bites during meals, and treatment gains coincided with a threefold increase in grams consumed per meal. Conclusion Results provide additional support for the potential therapeutic benefits of enhancing bolus placement onto the tongue as a means to improve mealtime performance in children with pediatric feeding disorders when included as an adjunct to more traditional behavioral approaches.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Observational Study

MeSH terms

  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • Cohort Studies
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Feeding Methods*
  • Feeding and Eating Disorders of Childhood / complications
  • Feeding and Eating Disorders of Childhood / therapy*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Infant
  • Male
  • Motor Skills Disorders / complications
  • Motor Skills Disorders / therapy*
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Treatment Outcome