Association of Chronotype and Shiftwork with COVID-19 Infection.

OBJECTIVE: This study assesses whether chronotype is related to COVID-19 infection and whether there is an interaction with shift work. METHODS: Cross-sectional survey of 19,821 U.S. adults. RESULTS: COVID-19 infection occurred in 40% of participants, 32.6% morning and 17.2% evening chronotypes. After adjusting for demographic and socioeconomic factors, shift/remote work, sleep duration and comorbidities, morning chronotype was associated with a higher (aOR: 1.15, 95% CI 1.10-1.21) and evening chronotype with a lower (aOR: 0.82, 95% CI: 0.78-0.87) prevalence of COVID-19 infection in comparison to an intermediate chronotype. Working exclusively night shifts was not associated with higher prevalence of COVID-19. Morning chronotype and working some evening shifts was associated with the highest prevalence of previous COVID-19 infection (aOR: 1.87, 95% CI: 1.28-2.74). CONCLUSION: Morning chronotype and working a mixture of shifts increase risk of COVID-19 infection.

Association of Obstructive Sleep Apnea with Post-Acute Sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 Infection.

BACKGROUND: Obstructive sleep apnea is associated with COVID-19 infection. Less clear is whether obstructive sleep apnea is a risk factor for the development of post-acute sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 infection (PASC). STUDY DESIGN: Cross-sectional survey of a general population of 24,803 US adults to determine the association of obstructive sleep apnea with PASC. RESULTS: COVID-19 infection occurred in 10,324 (41.6%) participants. Prevalence of persistent (>3 months post infection) putative PASC-related physical and mental health symptoms ranged from 6.5% (peripheral edema) to 19.6% (nervous/anxious). In logistic regression models, obstructive sleep apnea was associated with all putative PASC-related symptoms with the highest adjusted odds ratios being fever (2.053) and nervous/anxious (1.939). In 4 logistic regression models of overall PASC derived from elastic net regression, obstructive sleep apnea was associated with PASC (range of adjusted odds ratios: 1.934-2.071); this association was mitigated in those with treated obstructive sleep apnea. In the best fitting overall model requiring ≥3 symptoms, PASC prevalence was 21.9%. CONCLUSION: In a general population sample, obstructive sleep apnea is associated with the development of PASC-related symptoms and a global definition of PASC. Treated obstructive sleep apnea mitigates the latter risk. The presence of 3 or more PASC symptoms may be useful in identifying cases and for future research.

Sleep and mental health among unpaid caregivers of children, adults, and both: United States, 2022.

OBJECTIVES: We sought to characterize sleep and mental health, and their relationship, among unpaid caregivers. METHODS: During March through August 2022, four waves of cross-sectional surveys were administered to US adults using demographic quota sampling and weighting to improve representativeness of the US adult population. RESULTS: Among 19,767 respondents, 6260 (31.7%) identified as serving one or more unpaid caregiving roles. Compared to people without caregiving roles, caregivers more commonly reported sleep duration outside the healthy range (7-9 hours), insomnia symptoms, diagnosed sleep disorders, and more commonly screened positive for anxiety, depression, and burnout symptoms. Multivariable analyses adjusted for demographics characteristics revealed unpaid caregivers had several-fold elevated odds of adverse mental health symptoms; associations were attenuated but remained significant after adjusting for impaired and nonoptimal sleep. CONCLUSIONS: Both sleep and mental health challenges are disproportionately experienced by and commonly co-occur among unpaid caregivers, especially those who care for both children and adults. These populations, which serve critical societal roles, may benefit from enhanced support services to address sleep and mental health.

Subjective awareness of sleepiness while driving in younger and older adults.

Understanding whether drivers can accurately assess sleepiness is essential for educational campaigns advising drivers to stop driving when feeling sleepy. However, few studies have examined this in real-world driving environments, particularly among older drivers who comprise a large proportion of all road users. To examine the accuracy of subjective sleepiness ratings in predicting subsequent driving impairment and physiological drowsiness, 16 younger (21-33 years) and 17 older (50-65 years) adults drove an instrumented vehicle for 2 h on closed loop under two conditions: well-rested and 29 h sleep deprivation. Sleepiness ratings (Karolinska Sleepiness Scale, Likelihood of Falling Asleep scale, Sleepiness Symptoms Questionnaire) were obtained every 15min, alongside lane deviations, near crash events, and ocular indices of drowsiness. All subjective sleepiness measures increased with sleep deprivation for both age groups (p < 0.013). While most subjective sleepiness ratings significantly predicted driving impairment and drowsiness in younger adults (OR: 1.7-15.6, p < 0.02), this was only apparent for KSS, likelihood of falling asleep, and "difficulty staying in the lane for the older adults" (OR: 2.76-2.86, p = 0.02). This may be due to an altered perception of sleepiness in older adults, or due to lowered objective signs of impairment in the older group. Our data suggest that (i) younger and older drivers are aware of sleepiness; (ii) the best subjective scale may differ across age groups; and (iii) future research should expand on the best subjective measures to inform of crash risk in older adults to inform tailored educational road safety campaigns on signs of sleepiness.

Associations Between Amyloid Burden, Hypoxemia, Sleep Architecture, and Cognition in Obstructive Sleep Apnea.

BACKGROUND: Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is associated with an increased risk of amyloid-ß (Aß) burden, the hallmark of Alzheimer's disease, and cognitive decline. OBJECTIVE: To determine the differential impacts of hypoxemia and slow-wave sleep disruption on brain amyloid burden, and to explore the effects of hypoxemia, slow-wave sleep disruption, and amyloid burden on cognition in individuals with and without OSA. METHODS: Thirty-four individuals with confirmed OSA (mean±SD age 57.5±4.1 years; 19 males) and 12 healthy controls (58.5±4.2 years; 6 males) underwent a clinical polysomnogram, a NAV4694 positron emission tomography (PET) scan for Aß burden, assessment of APOEɛ status and cognitive assessments. Linear hierarchical regressions were conducted to determine the contributions of demographic and sleep variables on amyloid burden and cognition. RESULTS: Aß burden was associated with nocturnal hypoxemia, and impaired verbal episodic memory, autobiographical memory and set shifting. Hypoxemia was correlated with impaired autobiographical memory, and only set shifting performance remained significantly associated with Aß burden when controlling for sleep variables. CONCLUSIONS: Nocturnal hypoxemia was related to brain Aß burden in this sample of OSA participants. Aß burden and hypoxemia had differential impacts on cognition. This study reveals aspects of sleep disturbance in OSA that are most strongly associated with brain Aß burden and poor cognition, which are markers of early Alzheimer's disease. These findings add weight to the possibility that hypoxemia may be causally related to the development of dementia; however, whether it may be a therapeutic target for dementia prevention in OSA is yet to be determined.

The role of lung volume recruitment therapy in neuromuscular disease: a narrative review.

Respiratory muscle weakness results in substantial discomfort, disability, and ultimately death in many neuromuscular diseases. Respiratory system impairment manifests as shallow breathing, poor cough and associated difficulty clearing mucus, respiratory tract infections, hypoventilation, sleep-disordered breathing, and chronic ventilatory failure. Ventilatory support (i.e., non-invasive ventilation) is an established and key treatment for the latter. As survival outcomes improve for people living with many neuromuscular diseases, there is a shift towards more proactive and preventative chronic disease multidisciplinary care models that aim to manage symptoms, improve morbidity, and reduce mortality. Clinical care guidelines typically recommend therapies to improve cough effectiveness and mobilise mucus, with the aim of averting acute respiratory compromise or respiratory tract infections. Moreover, preventing recurrent infective episodes may prevent secondary parenchymal pathology and further lung function decline. Regular use of techniques that augment lung volume has similarly been recommended (volume recruitment). It has been speculated that enhancing lung inflation in people with respiratory muscle weakness when well may improve respiratory system "flexibility", mitigate restrictive chest wall disease, and slow lung volume decline. Unfortunately, clinical care guidelines are based largely on clinical rationale and consensus opinion rather than level A evidence. This narrative review outlines the physiological changes that occur in people with neuromuscular disease and how these changes impact on breathing, cough, and respiratory tract infections. The biological rationale for lung volume recruitment is provided, and the clinical trials that examine the immediate, short-term, and longer-term outcomes of lung volume recruitment in paediatric and adult neuromuscular diseases are presented and the results synthesised.

European NCAP Driver State Monitoring Protocols: Prevalence of Distraction in Naturalistic Driving.

OBJECTIVE: examine the prevalence of driver distraction in naturalistic driving when implementing European New Car Assessment Program (Euro NCAP)-defined distraction behaviours. BACKGROUND: The 2023 introduction of Occupant Status monitoring (OSM) into Euro NCAP will accelerate uptake of Driver State Monitoring (DSM). Euro NCAP outlines distraction behaviours that DSM must detect to earn maximum safety points. Distraction behaviour prevalence and driver alerting and intervention frequency have yet to be examined in naturalistic driving. METHOD: Twenty healthcare workers were provided with an instrumented vehicle for approximately two weeks. Data were continuously monitored with automotive grade DSM during daily work commutes, resulting in 168.8 hours of driver head, eye and gaze tracking. RESULTS: Single long distraction events were the most prevalent, with .89 events/hour. Implementing different thresholds for driving-related and driving-unrelated glance regions impacts alerting rates. Lizard glances (primarily gaze movement) occurred more frequently than owl glances (primarily head movement). Visual time-sharing events occurred at a rate of .21 events/hour. CONCLUSION: Euro NCAP-described driver distraction occurs naturalistically. Lizard glances, requiring gaze tracking, occurred in high frequency relative to owl glances, which only require head tracking, indicating that less sophisticated DSM will miss a substantial amount of distraction events. APPLICATION: This work informs OEMs, DSM manufacturers and regulators of the expected alerting rate of Euro NCAP defined distraction behaviours. Alerting rates will vary with protocol implementation, technology capability, and HMI strategies adopted by the OEMs, in turn impacting safety outcomes, user experience and acceptance of DSM technology.

Pilot feasibility testing of biomathematical model recommendations for personalising sleep timing in shift workers.

Sleep disturbances and circadian disruption play a central role in adverse health, safety, and performance outcomes in shift workers. While biomathematical models of sleep and alertness can be used to personalise interventions for shift workers, their practical implementation is undertested. This study tested the feasibility of implementing two biomathematical models-the Phillips-Robinson Model and the Model for Arousal Dynamics-in 28 shift-working nurses, 14 in each group. The study examined the overlap and adherence between model recommendations and sleep behaviours, and changes in sleep following the implementation of recommendations. For both groups combined, the mean (SD) percentage overlap between when a model recommended an individual to sleep and when sleep was obtained was 73.62% (10.24%). Adherence between model recommendations and sleep onset and offset times was significantly higher with the Model of Arousal Dynamics compared to the Phillips-Robinson Model. For the Phillips-Robinson model, 27% of sleep onset and 35% of sleep offset times were within ± 30 min of model recommendations. For the Model of Arousal Dynamics, 49% of sleep onset, and 35% of sleep offset times were within ± 30 min of model recommendations. Compared to pre-study, significant improvements were observed post-study for sleep disturbance (Phillips-Robinson Model), and insomnia severity and sleep-related impairments (Model of Arousal Dynamics). Participants reported that using a digital, automated format for the delivery of sleep recommendations would enable greater uptake. These findings provide a positive proof-of-concept for using biomathematical models to recommend sleep in operational contexts.

Association of Chronotype and Shiftwork with COVID-19 Infection.

Objective: This study assesses whether chronotype is related to COVID-19 infection and whether there is an interaction with shift work. Methods: Cross-sectional survey of 19,821 U.S. adults. Results: COVID-19 infection occurred in 40% of participants, 32.6% morning and 17.2% evening chronotypes. After adjusting for demographic and socioeconomic factors, shift work, sleep duration and comorbidities, morning chronotype was associated with a higher (aOR: 1.15, 95% CI 1.10-1.21) and evening chronotype with a lower (aOR: 0.82, 95% CI: 0.78-0.87) prevalence of COVID-19 infection in comparison to an intermediate chronotype. Working exclusively night shifts was not associated with higher prevalence of COVID-19. Morning chronotype and working some evening shifts was associated with the highest prevalence of previous COVID-19 infection (aOR: 1.87, 95% CI: 1.28-2.74). Conclusion: Morning chronotype and working a mixture of shifts increase risk of COVID-19 infection.

Associations between obstructive sleep apnea and COVID-19 infection and hospitalization among US adults.

STUDY OBJECTIVES: Medical comorbidities increase the risk of severe COVID-19 infection. In some studies, obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) has been identified as a comorbid condition that is associated with an increased prevalence of COVID-19 infection and hospitalization, but few have investigated this association in a general population. This study aimed to answer the following research question: In a general population, is OSA associated with increased odds of COVID-19 infection and hospitalization and are these altered with COVID-19 vaccination? METHODS: This was a cross-sectional survey of a diverse sample of 15,057 US adults. RESULTS: COVID-19 infection and hospitalization rates in the cohort were 38.9% and 2.9%, respectively. OSA or OSA symptoms were reported in 19.4%. In logistic regression models adjusted for demographic, socioeconomic, and comorbid medical conditions, OSA was positively associated with COVID-19 infection (adjusted odds ratio: 1.58, 95% CI: 1.39-1.79) and COVID-19 hospitalization (adjusted odds ratio: 1.55, 95% CI: 1.17-2.05). In fully adjusted models, boosted vaccination status was protective against both infection and hospitalization. Boosted vaccination status attenuated the association between OSA and COVID-19 related hospitalization but not infection. Participants with untreated or symptomatic OSA were at greater risk for COVID-19 infection; those with untreated but not symptomatic OSA were more likely to be hospitalized. CONCLUSIONS: In a general population sample, OSA is associated with a greater likelihood of having had a COVID-19 infection and a COVID-19 hospitalization with the greatest impact observed among persons experiencing OSA symptoms or who were untreated for their OSA. Boosted vaccination status attenuated the association between OSA and COVID-19-related hospitalization. CITATION: Quan SF, Weaver MD, Czeisler MÉ, et al. Associations between obstructive sleep apnea and COVID-19 infection and hospitalization among U.S. adults. J Clin Sleep Med. 2023;19(7):1303-1311.

The impact of alcohol consumption on commercial eye blink drowsiness detection technology.

INTRODUCTION: Driver drowsiness detection technology that assesses eye blinks is increasingly being used as a safety intervention in the transport industry. It is unclear how alcohol consumption to common legal driving limits impacts upon this technology. The aim of the study was to assess the impact of a blood alcohol content (BAC) of 0.05% and of 0.08% on drowsiness detection technology during simulated driving. METHODS: Participants completed a 60-min driving simulation and sleepiness questionnaire under three conditions: 1-0.00% BAC, 2-0.05% BAC and 3-0.08% BAC. During the driving simulation task participants wore a commercial eye blink drowsiness detection technology (Optalert) with the drowsiness alarms silenced. RESULTS: Twelve participants (3 female) completed all alcohol conditions. Relative to baseline, all eye blink parameters were affected at 0.08% BAC (all p < 0.05), whereas 0.05% BAC only affected the composite eye blink drowsiness measure (the Johns Drowsiness Scale). CONCLUSIONS: Alcohol consumption to 0.08% BAC impaired eye blink measures to a level that would be considered a moderate drowsiness risk. Therefore, employers should be aware that drowsiness alerts from these technologies may increase after alcohol consumption.

A Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial of Lung Volume Recruitment in Adults with Neuromuscular Disease.

Rationale: Clinical care guidelines advise that lung volume recruitment (LVR) be performed routinely by people with neuromuscular disease (NMD) to maintain lung and chest wall flexibility and slow lung function decline. However, the evidence base is limited, and no randomized controlled trials of regular LVR in adults have been published. Objectives: To evaluate the effect of regular LVR on respiratory function and quality of life in adults with NMD. Methods: A randomized controlled trial with assessor blinding was conducted between September 2015 and May 2019. People (>14 years old) with NMD and vital capacity <80% predicted were eligible, stratified by disease subgroup (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis/motor neuron disease or other NMDs), and randomized to 3 months of twice-daily LVR or breathing exercises. The primary outcome was change in maximum insufflation capacity (MIC) from baseline to 3 months, analyzed using a linear mixed model approach. Results: Seventy-six participants (47% woman; median age, 57 [31-68] years; mean baseline vital capacity, 40 ± 18% predicted) were randomized (LVR, n = 37). Seventy-three participants completed the study. There was a statistically significant difference in MIC between groups (linear model interaction effect P = 0.002, observed mean difference, 0.19 [0.00-0.39] L). MIC increased by 0.13 (0.01-0.25) L in the LVR group, predominantly within the first month. No interaction or treatment effects were observed in secondary outcomes of lung volumes, respiratory system compliance, and quality of life. No adverse events were reported. Conclusions: Regular LVR increased MIC in a sample of LVR-naive participants with NMD. We found no direct evidence that regular LVR modifies respiratory mechanics or slows the rate of lung volume decline. The implications of increasing MIC are unclear, and the change in MIC may represent practice. Prospective long-term clinical cohorts with comprehensive follow-up, objective LVR use, and clinically meaningful outcome data are needed. Clinical trial registered with anzctr.org.au (ACTRN12615000565549).

Feeling sleepy? stop driving-awareness of fall asleep crashes.

STUDY OBJECTIVES: To examine whether drivers are aware of sleepiness and associated symptoms, and how subjective reports predict driving impairment and physiological drowsiness. METHODS: Sixteen shift workers (19-65 years; 9 women) drove an instrumented vehicle for 2 hours on a closed-loop track after a night of sleep and a night of work. Subjective sleepiness/symptoms were rated every 15 minutes. Severe and moderate driving impairment was defined by emergency brake maneuvers and lane deviations, respectively. Physiological drowsiness was defined by eye closures (Johns drowsiness scores) and EEG-based microsleep events. RESULTS: All subjective ratings increased post night-shift (p < 0.001). No severe drive events occurred without noticeable symptoms beforehand. All subjective sleepiness ratings, and specific symptoms, predicted a severe (emergency brake) driving event occurring in the next 15 minutes (OR: 1.76-2.4, AUC > 0.81, p < 0.009), except "head dropping down". Karolinska Sleepiness Scale (KSS), ocular symptoms, difficulty keeping to center of the road, and nodding off to sleep, were associated with a lane deviation in the next 15 minutes (OR: 1.17-1.24, p<0.029), although accuracy was only "fair" (AUC 0.59-0.65). All sleepiness ratings predicted severe ocular-based drowsiness (OR: 1.30-2.81, p < 0.001), with very good-to-excellent accuracy (AUC > 0.8), while moderate ocular-based drowsiness was predicted with fair-to-good accuracy (AUC > 0.62). KSS, likelihood of falling asleep, ocular symptoms, and "nodding off" predicted microsleep events, with fair-to-good accuracy (AUC 0.65-0.73). CONCLUSIONS: Drivers are aware of sleepiness, and many self-reported sleepiness symptoms predicted subsequent driving impairment/physiological drowsiness. Drivers should self-assess a wide range of sleepiness symptoms and stop driving when these occur to reduce the escalating risk of road crashes due to drowsiness.

Effect of Intensity of Home Noninvasive Ventilation in Individuals With Neuromuscular and Chest Wall Disorders: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Individual Participant Data.

INTRODUCTION: Home noninvasive ventilation (NIV), targeting a reduction of carbon dioxide with a combination of sufficient inspiratory support and backup-rate improves outcomes in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. The aim of this systematic review with individual participant data (IPD) meta-analysis was to evaluate the effects of intensity of home NIV on respiratory outcomes in individuals with slowly progressive neuromuscular (NMD) or chest-wall disorders (CWD). METHODS: Controlled, non-controlled and cohort studies indexed between January-2000 and December-2020 were sought from Medline, Embase and the Cochrane Central Register. Outcomes were diurnal PaCO2, PaO2, daily NIV usage, and interface type (PROSPERO-CRD 42021245121). NIV intensity was defined according to the Z-score of the product of pressure support (or tidal volume) and backup-rate. RESULTS: 16 eligible studies were identified; we obtained IPD for 7 studies (176 participants: 113-NMD; 63-CWD). The reduction in PaCO2 was greater with higher baseline PaCO2. NIV intensity per se was not associated with improved PaCO2 except in individuals with CWD and the most severe baseline hypercapnia. Similar results were found for PaO2. Daily NIV usage was associated with improvement in gas exchange but not with NIV intensity. No association between NIV intensity and interface type was found. CONCLUSION: Following home NIV initiation in NMD or CWD patients, no relationship was observed between NIV intensity and PaCO2, except in individuals with the most severe CWD. The amount of daily NIV usage, rather than intensity, is key to improving hypoventilation in this population during the first few months after introduction of therapy.

Mobile app for personalized sleep-wake management for shift workers: A user testing trial.

Objective: Development of personalized sleep-wake management tools is critical to improving sleep and functional outcomes for shift workers. The objective of the current study was to test the performance, engagement and usability of a mobile app (SleepSync) for personalized sleep-wake management in shift workers that aid behavioural change and provide practical advice by providing personalized sleep scheduling recommendations and education. Methods: Shift workers (n = 27; 20 healthcare and 7 from other industries) trialled the mobile app for two weeks to determine performance, engagement and usability. Primary outcomes were self-reported total sleep time, ability to fall asleep, sleep quality and perception of overall recovery on days off. Secondary performance outcomes included sleep disturbances (insomnia and sleep hygiene symptoms, and sleep-related impairments) and mood (anxiety, stress and depression) pre- and post-app use. Satisfaction with schedule management, integration into daily routine and influence on behaviour were used to determine engagement, while the usability was assessed for functionality and ease of use of features. Results: Total sleep time (P = .04), ability to fall asleep (P < .001), quality of sleep (P = .001), insomnia (P = .02), sleep hygiene (P = .01), sleep-related impairments (P = .001), anxiety (P = .001), and stress (P = .006) were all improved, with non-significant improvements in recovery on days off (P = .19) and depression (P = .07). All measures of engagement and usability were scored positively by the majority of users. Conclusions: This pilot trial provides preliminary evidence of the positive impact of the SleepSync app in improving sleep and mood outcomes in shift workers, and warrants confirmation in a larger controlled trial.

Insomnia, Poor Sleep Quality and Sleep Duration, and Risk for COVID-19 Infection and Hospitalization.

BACKGROUND: Medical comorbidities increase the risk of severe acute COVID-19 illness. Although sleep problems are common after COVID-19 infection, it is unclear whether insomnia, poor sleep quality, and extremely long or short sleep increase risk of developing COVID-19 infection or hospitalization. METHODS: The study used a cross-sectional survey of a diverse sample of 19,926 US adults. RESULTS: COVID-19 infection and hospitalization prevalence rates were 40.1% and 2.9%, respectively. Insomnia and poor sleep quality were reported in 19.8% and 40.1%, respectively. In logistic regression models adjusted for comorbid medical conditions and sleep duration but excluding participants who reported COVID-19-associated sleep problems, poor sleep quality, but not insomnia, was associated with COVID-19 infection (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 1.16; 95% CI, 1.07-1.26) and COVID-19 hospitalization (aOR 1.50; 95% CI, 1.18-1.91). In comparison with habitual sleep duration of 7-8 hours, sleep durations <7 hours (aOR 1.14; 95% CI, 1.06-1.23) and sleep duration of 12 hours (aOR 1.61; 95% CI, 1.12-2.31) were associated with increased odds of COVID-19 infection. Overall, the relationship between COVID-19 infection and hours of sleep followed a quadratic (U-shaped) pattern. No association between sleep duration and COVID-19 hospitalization was observed. CONCLUSION: In a general population sample, poor sleep quality and extremes of sleep duration are associated with greater odds of having had a COVID-19 infection; poor sleep quality was associated with an increased requirement of hospitalization for severe COVID-19 illness. These observations suggest that inclusion of healthy sleep practices in public health messaging may reduce the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

A Multidisciplinary Approach to Verbal Communication Interventions for Mechanically Ventilated Adults With a Tracheostomy.

There is developing evidence with regard to the feasibility, utility, and safety of verbal communication interventions with patients with tracheostomy who are invasively ventilated. In the past 2 decades, research efforts have focused on establishing evidence for communication interventions, including introducing an intentional leak into the ventilatory circuit such as with a fenestrated tube, leak speech or ventilator-adjusted leak speech, the use of a one-way valve in-line with the ventilator, and above cuff vocalization. This narrative review describes the benefits of a multi-disciplinary approach, summarizes verbal communication interventions, and provides guidance on the indications, contraindications and considerations for patient selection. Our clinical procedures based on collective clinical experience are shared. A multidisciplinary team approach enables holistic management across acuity, ventilation, airway, communication, and swallowing parameters. This collaborative approach is recommended to maximize the chance of successful opportunities for patients to communicate safely and effectively.