Normal values for swallow events during endoscopic evaluation of swallowing: a preliminary study.

PURPOSE: The current investigation aimed to establish preliminary normative data for endoscopic swallow studies (FEES). The investigators collected data for three timing measures (time to whiteout, duration of whiteout, and total swallow time), three swallowing outcomes (safety, efficiency, and number of swallows per bolus), and one physiologic event (glottal response), for both healthy young and older adults using two liquid volumes, one pureed bolus and a solid bolus. METHODS: Blinded raters retrospectively analyzed 65 randomly selected, deidentified videos of endoscopic swallowing examinations from a pool of 163 young and older adults with typical swallowing abilities. Timing measures and analysis of airway invasion, amount of residue, number of swallows, and glottal response were obtained. RESULTS: Preliminary means and quartiles were established for healthy adults in two age groups (young and old), for time to whiteout (WO), number of swallows per bolus, glottal response, Yale Residue Rating Scale Scores, Penetration-Aspiration Scale scores, duration of WO, and total swallow duration. Differences were found between the older and younger groups. CONCLUSION: The current study represents a preliminary attempt to provide quantitative and normative values for FEES. These data represent reference values to which other bolus presentations and populations can be compared. The data represents proof of concept and merits additional investigation. IRB ID: 1756246-2: Approved 2022/06/06. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION: Study does not meet criteria. DATA REPOSITORY: https://doi.org/10.6084/m9.figshare.25800025 .

Developing "The Health After Cancer Podcast" to amplify cancer survivors' voices through digital storytelling.

BACKGROUND: Cancer survivors experience complex medical and psychosocial challenges after a cancer diagnosis, leading to unmet informational and emotional needs. There is a paucity of cancer survivorship educational resources co-created by survivors and medical professionals. OBJECTIVE: Our aim was to create an educational resource for cancer survivors, caregivers, and medical professionals that would leverage digital storytelling to address survivorship topics. PATIENT INVOLVEMENT: Our content and production team included cancer survivors, clinicians, educators, and design experts. All content was co-created by cancer survivors and medical experts. METHODS: We conducted an environmental scan of existing cancer survivorship educational resources in academic and public domains. Applying human-centered design principles, we incorporated patient perspectives through advisory board meetings and focus groups and identified a podcast as the preferred medium. We selected content and speakers, produced the podcast, and developed a corresponding website. RESULTS: Based on patient recommendations, podcast episodes address mental health, fear of cancer recurrence, relationships, parenting, relating to a new body, care transitions for adult survivors of childhood cancer, disclosing health information, and financial burden of cancer. Podcast guests were invited based on lived or learned experience in these domains. Thirteen guests (survivors, experts) and four hosts (two cancer survivors, two oncologists) co-created 15 podcast episodes. Podcast guests found the storytelling experience to be powerful and therapeutic. DISCUSSION: Digital storytelling is a scalable and accessible educational tool for communicating complex survivorship concepts that can amplify survivors' voices and increase awareness among survivors and clinicians. Co-creation of educational resources for cancer survivorship by survivors and professionals is a feasible and innovative educational strategy. PRACTICAL VALUE: A podcast created by and for cancer survivors in partnership with medical experts highlights opportunities for peer-to-peer digital storytelling to foster community among survivors and caregivers. FUNDING: Podcast production was supported by the Stanford Comprehensive Cancer Center.

Impact of COVID-19 on a worksite weight loss program for employees with overweight and obesity.

Objective: The COVID-19 pandemic has been shown to be negatively associated with physical activity engagement, adherence to healthy diet, and weight management among people with obesity. The current study examined COVID-19-related changes in weight, physical activity (PA), and diet among employees with obesity or overweight who participated in Vibrant Lives (VL), a worksite weight loss program. Methods: School district employees participated in the 6-month VL weight loss program and were categorized into non-COVID-era participants and COVID-era participants. Participants completed questionnaires about PA and dietary intake at baseline and follow-up. COVID-era participants reported the effects of pandemic on their behaviors. Changes in weight, PA, and diet were compared between groups using multilevel linear mixed models and logistic regression models. Results: A total of 266 participants (non-COVID, n=173; COVID, n=93) were included. Significant weight loss (non-COVID, -2.3 kg vs. COVID, -1.3 kg) and increases in moderate-to-vigorous PA minutes (non-COVID, 48.7 min vs. COVID, 61.5 min) were observed associated with the program, but no significant differences in changes between the groups were found. Compared to non-COVID participants, COVID participants decreased fast food consumption (P=.008) and increased sugar-sweetened beverage intake (P=.016). Higher frequency of snacking and overeating were reported as barriers to a healthy diet. Conclusion: The COVID-19 pandemic was negatively associated with healthful dietary behaviors. The information obtained from participants regarding the reasons for their pandemic-related changes in diet may help identify strategies to encourage healthier behaviors and weight management among people who have been negatively affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.