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. 2021 Dec 10;31(1):463–485. doi: 10.1044/2021_AJSLP-21-00145

Table 4.

Additional details regarding fiberoptic endoscopic evaluation of swallowing (FEES) protocols used in selected studies.

Study Intervention Equipment Protocol Analysis/blinding Consistency
Baijens et al. (2013) VitalStim PENTAX FNL-10RP3, Alphatron Stroboview ACLS camera, Alphatron light source, IVACX computerized video archiving system; recorded on a DVD 10-ml thin liquid × 3, 10-ml thick liquid × 3, bite-sized crackers × 3 Judges blinded to group, to time point of measurement (pre- vs. posttherapy), and to each other's ratings. Thin liquid: water dyed with 5% methylene blue Thick liquid: applesauce dyed with 5% methylene blue
Kondo et al. (2017) Aural stimulation with capsaicin ointment to the external auditory canal PENTAX VNL-100S endoscope (3.1 mm in diameter) Standard FEES protocol of The Oto-Rhino-Laryngological Society of Japan. Tested 5, 30, and 60 min after a single application of 0.5 g of 0.025% capsaicin or placebo ointment to the right external auditory canal. Video images evaluated using endoscopic swallowing scoring and the SMRC scale by a second otolaryngologist blinded to clinical data and original ratings. Water (3 ml) dyed with blue food coloring
Kulneff et al. (2013) Deep brain stimulation Olympus ENF-P4 transnasal flexible endoscope and a Wolf 5502 endocam One solid and four different liquid consistencies. Started with thin liquid, then thicker and solid consistencies, and finished with water.
  1. Thin liquid: 5 ml of jellification powder in 500 ml of water

  2. Semi-viscous liquid: 10 ml of powder in 500 ml of water

  3. Viscous liquid: 15 ml of powder in 500 ml of water

  4. Biscuit with a smear of the thickest liquid consistency on top

  5. 10 ml of water

Sundstedt et al. (2012) Deep brain stimulation Olympus ENF-P4 transnasal flexible endoscope and a Wolf 5502 endocam One solid and four different liquid consistencies. Started with thin liquid, then thicker and solid consistencies, and finished with water. Video recordings were de-identified and randomly ordered. Scored according to a predefined protocol.
  1. Thin liquid: 5 ml of jellification powder in 500 ml of water

  2. Semi-viscous liquid: 10 ml of powder in 500 ml of water

  3. Viscous liquid: 15 ml of powder in 500 ml of water

  4. Biscuit with a smear of the thickest liquid consistency on top

  5. 10 ml of water

Sundstedt, Holmén, et al. (2017) Deep brain stimulation Olympus ENF-P4 transnasal flexible endoscope and a Wolf 5502 endocam. In later examinations, an Olympus ENF-VH flexible video endoscope and an Olympus CV-170 light source system. One solid and four different liquid consistencies. For the paper, only the final 2 consistencies were analyzed. Raters blinded to patient status, time point, DBS status, and swallowing function.
  1. Thin: green-dyed water

  2. Solid: biscuit with a smear of green jelly

Warnecke et al. (2016) Oral levodopa administration Olympus ENF-P4 flexible fiberoptic rhinolaryngoscope (3.1 mm in diameter), a Storz endovision telecam SL PAL 20212020 light source, a Storz endovision telecam SL PAL 20212030 camera, a Sony DVM 14M2MDE color monitor, and a Sony SVO9500MDP video recorder
  1. Evaluation in the off-drug condition

  2. Single oral dose of liquid levodopa

  3. Second FEES examination approximately 30–60 min after levodopa challenge

Each evaluation included nine consecutive standardized test boluses.
Independently scoring in random order by two raters, blinded to patient and assessment conditions.
  1. Pudding: three trials × 8 ml of green jelly

  2. Liquid: three trials × 5 ml of blue-dyed liquid

  3. Solid: white bread approximately 3 × 3 × 0.5 cm.

Note. The em dash indicates data not reported. SMRC = sensory, motion, reflex, clearance; DBS = deep brain stimulation.