National scientific production on oropharyngeal dysphagia and therapeutic possibilities: a scientometric study

Abstract

Introduction: Swallowing is a physiological process that transports food, liquids, or saliva from the mouth to the stomach. Oropharyngeal dysphagia (OD) is a disorder of this function, involving alterations in one or more phases of swallowing, with pulmonary, nutritional, and social impacts. With diverse origins, it requires careful evaluation. Objective: To map scientific productions on a national level regarding publications about the speech therapy therapeutic possibilities for oropharyngeal dysphagia. Method: This is a quantitative, exploratory research using the scientometrics technique. Research strategy: For this research, a manual search was conducted in all previous editions of the main national speech therapy journals, namely: DiC, ACR, CEFAC, CoDAS, JSBFa, and Revista de Atualização Científica Pró-Fono. Selection criteria: Original articles, case reports, and brief communications in all languages were included. Results: The main interventions were evaluation by videofluoroscopy and management of food consistency. The main institution was USP. The state that published the most was São Paulo, and the journal that published the most was ACR. Conclusion: Given the importance of speech therapy in the rehabilitation of patients with oropharyngeal dysphagia, it is essential to have knowledge about therapeutic possibilities supported by studies and widely used by professionals in Brazil.

Keywords: swallowing disorder, assessment, therapy, speech therapy.