Abstract
Introduction: Dysphagia often appears days before conventional volume overload indicators, suggesting it may be an earlier marker for impending volume overload. The The Massey Bedside Swallow Screen and videofluoroscopic swallow studies are standard dysphagia diagnostic tools, but are limited by subjectivity and resource availability, respectively. The Dysphagia Strain Sensor (DSS) offers objective assessment and easier accessibility. This study assessed the feasibility of the DSS in detecting dysphagia and evaluating volume status in heart failure (HF) patients.
Methods: An exploratory feasibility enrolled 15 HF patients aged 18 years and older, classified as New York Heart Association Functional Class II to III, hospitalized within the past year. Exclusions included age under 18, neurological disorders, prior neck surgeries, sensitivities to silver or adhesives, hospice care status, or life expectancy under one year were excluded.
Results: Results showed significant correlations between DSS parameters- laryngeal repositioning time (LRT), swallowing jitter (SJ), amplitude, and duration - and self-reported dysphagia and bedside swallow screenings. DSS metrics also correlated with clinical indicators of volume status.
Conclusions: Findings support DSS as a feasible, non-invasive tool for early detection and monitoring of dysphagia and volume overload among HF patients. Further longitudinal studies are recommended to validate its clinical utility and improve early intervention strategies, reducing hospitalizations, and complications linked to volume overload in HF.
Notes
Reference list attached as separate file.
Sigma Membership
Phi Nu
Type
Presentation
Format Type
Text-based Document
Study Design/Type
Cross-Sectional
Research Approach
Quantitative Research
Keywords:
Acute Care, Instrumental and Tool Development, Heart Failure, Dysphagia, Deglutition Disorders, Deglutition, Strain Gages, Strain Sensors
Recommended Citation
Velasco, Juvel-lou P., "Dysphagia Strain Sensor for Swallowing and Volume Status Assessment in Heart Failure" (2026). International Nursing Research Congress (INRC). 333.
https://www.sigmarepository.org/inrc/2026/presentations_2026/333
Conference Name
37th International Nursing Research Congress
Conference Host
Sigma Theta Tau International
Conference Location
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Conference Year
2026
Rights Holder
All rights reserved by the author(s) and/or publisher(s) listed in this item record unless relinquished in whole or part by a rights notation or a Creative Commons License present in this item record. All permission requests should be directed accordingly and not to the Sigma Repository. All submitting authors or publishers have affirmed that when using material in their work where they do not own copyright, they have obtained permission of the copyright holder prior to submission and the rights holder has been acknowledged as necessary.
Review Type
Abstract Review Only: Reviewed by Event Host
Acquisition
Proxy-submission
Date of Issue
2026-09-29
Dysphagia Strain Sensor for Swallowing and Volume Status Assessment in Heart Failure
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Introduction: Dysphagia often appears days before conventional volume overload indicators, suggesting it may be an earlier marker for impending volume overload. The The Massey Bedside Swallow Screen and videofluoroscopic swallow studies are standard dysphagia diagnostic tools, but are limited by subjectivity and resource availability, respectively. The Dysphagia Strain Sensor (DSS) offers objective assessment and easier accessibility. This study assessed the feasibility of the DSS in detecting dysphagia and evaluating volume status in heart failure (HF) patients.
Methods: An exploratory feasibility enrolled 15 HF patients aged 18 years and older, classified as New York Heart Association Functional Class II to III, hospitalized within the past year. Exclusions included age under 18, neurological disorders, prior neck surgeries, sensitivities to silver or adhesives, hospice care status, or life expectancy under one year were excluded.
Results: Results showed significant correlations between DSS parameters- laryngeal repositioning time (LRT), swallowing jitter (SJ), amplitude, and duration - and self-reported dysphagia and bedside swallow screenings. DSS metrics also correlated with clinical indicators of volume status.
Conclusions: Findings support DSS as a feasible, non-invasive tool for early detection and monitoring of dysphagia and volume overload among HF patients. Further longitudinal studies are recommended to validate its clinical utility and improve early intervention strategies, reducing hospitalizations, and complications linked to volume overload in HF.
Description
The Dysphagia Strain Sensor (DSS) is feasible and objective tool for detecting dysphagia and volume status in heart failure patients.DSS metrics reflect changes in both dysphagia and fluid status. LRT and duration parameters are useful for detecting subclinical and esophageal dysphagia. SJ parameter reflects respiratory-swallowing coordination. Amplitude parameter indicates muscle and laryngeal function, which relates to volume status and symptom severity.