Test-Retest Reliability of Swallowing Outcome Measures in Huntington's Disease.

BACKGROUND

Dysphagia in Huntington's disease (HD) has been described using instrumentation. However, no research has evaluated reliability of swallowing measures in this population.

OBJECTIVES

This study evaluated the test-retest reliability of swallowing measures in HD.

METHODS

Ten participants with HD and dysphagia were assessed at three intervals over 1 week. Functional measures of swallowing included the Timed Water Swallow Test (TWST) and Test of Masticating and Swallowing Solids (TOMASS). Swallowing biomechanics were measured using manofluoroscopy and ultrasound.

RESULTS

Nine participants completed all assessments. Results indicated good to excellent reliability (ICC >0.75) in 5/7 parameters of functional assessments (TWST/TOMASS) and moderate to excellent reliability (ICC >0.5) in 4/6 ultrasound measures. Manometric measures produced poor test-retest reliability (ICC <0.5). Videofluoroscopy measures ranged from poor to moderate reliability (ICC <0.5 to <0.75).

CONCLUSIONS

Swallowing measures showed mixed reliability in HD. This data can guide the selection and interpretation of outcomes in subsequent studies.