Effect of the combination of Mendelsohn maneuver and effortful swallowing on aspiration in patients with dysphagia after stroke.

[Purpose] This study investigated the effect of a combined method incorporating the Mendelsohn maneuver and effortful swallowing on aspiration in patients with dysphagia after stroke. [Subjects and Methods] Three patients with dysphagia were recruited. All patients were treated with a combined method consisting of the Mendelsohn maneuver and effortful swallowing. The intervention period was total 20 sessions. Evaluation was based on videofluoroscopic swallowing study and the degree of aspiration was assessed using penetration-aspiration scale. [Results] Before and after intervention, all participants showed a decrease in aspiration with liquid type and semisolid type food. [Conclusion] This study confirms that the combined method of the Mendelsohn maneuver and effortful swallowing has a positive effect on aspiration in patients with dysphagia after stroke.

The effects of computer-assisted cognitive rehabilitation on Alzheimer's dementia patients memories.

[Purpose] The purpose of the present study was to conduct Computer-Assisted Cognitive Rehabilitation (COMCOG) to examine the effects of COMCOG on Alzheimer's dementia patients' memories. [Subjects] Thirty-five patients diagnosed with Alzheimer's dementia received COMCOG for 30 minutes per day, five days per week for four weeks. [Methods] Before and after the COMCOG intervention, subjects' cognitive functions were evaluated using the Cognitive Assessment Reference Diagnosis System (CARDS) and Mini-Mental State Examination-Korea (MMSE-K) test. [Results] According to the results of the evaluation, among the CARDS scores of the subjects who received COMCOG, the scores of the delayed 10-word list, delayed 10-object list, recognition 10-object, and recent memory significantly increased while the scores of recognition 10-word significantly decreased after intervention compared to before intervention. In addition, among the MMSE-K items, the orientation, registration, and recall showed significant increases. [Conclusion] Based on these results, delay in the progress of memory deterioration can be expected when COMCOG is conducted for Alzheimer's dementia patients who show declines in cognitive functions.