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This paper reviews recent evidence concerning the epidemiology, evaluation, and treatment of post-stroke dysphagia. The large variability in dysphagia severity and outcomes after stroke warrant a comprehensive evaluation and treatment approach. Screening, bedside evaluation, and instrumental assessments should be systematically and consistently used based on clinical presentation and available resources. In addition to traditional methods of diet modification and implementation of strategies and exercises, the use of novel treatments such as biofeedback and noninvasive brain stimulation may be effective in treatment, though further research is warranted. Oral hygiene regimens may be instrumental in reducing the incidence of swallowing-related respiratory compromise in patients with dysphagia. Dysphagia after stroke is optimally assessed by timely and appropriately selected screening and evaluation. Treatment depends on pathophysiology, with more research needed to assess the effectiveness of interventions as a part of an individualized treatment plan.

Swallowing dysfunction is common after stroke. More than 50% of the 665 thousand stroke survivors will experience dysphagia acutely of which approximately 80 thousand will experience persistent dysphagia at 6 months. The physiologic impairments that result in post-stroke dysphagia are varied. This review focuses primarily on well-established dysphagia treatments in the context of the physiologic impairments they treat. Traditional dysphagia therapies including volume and texture modifications, strategies such as chin tuck, head tilt, head turn, effortful swallow, supraglottic swallow, super-supraglottic swallow, Mendelsohn maneuver and exercises such as the Shaker exercise and Masako (tongue hold) maneuver are discussed. Other more recent treatment interventions are discussed in the context of the evidence available.

Dysphagia affects the vast majority of acute stroke patients. Although it improves within 2 weeks for most, some face longstanding swallowing problems that place them at risk for pneumonia, malnutrition, dehydration, and significantly affect quality of life. This paper discusses the scope, the disease burden, and the tools available for screening and formal evaluation of dysphagia. The most common and recently developed treatment interventions that might be useful in the treatment of this population are discussed.

Although the goal of dysphagia rehabilitation is the same, population needs, clinical practice patterns, availability of resources, and dysphagia research varies greatly around the world. The goal of this review is to introduce the reader to the context in which dysphagia rehabilitation is practiced, to describe practice patterns, and to highlight the dysphagia research being performed in three distinct regions of the world: North America, New Zealand and Australia, and Japan.