NCT00570557

Brief Summary

This research aims to facilitate the successful implementation of the new Heart and Stroke Foundation of Ontario dysphagia screening model for acute stroke patients. The objectives will be 1) to determine the natural history of dysphagia screening skill decay, and 2) to assess the benefit of independent web-based practice and periodic feedback on screening skill maintenance. We will enrol a convenience sample of nurses who currently work with stroke patients but who have had no prior formal training with dysphagia screening. The study will consist of 2 phases: A) an initial pilot phase followed by B) a prospective randomized controlled study. During Phase A, three new web-based, self-instructed skill refresher courses will be developed to help nurses maintain the skills they will learn in an 8-hour workshop on dysphagia screening. During Phase B, nurses will receive the 8-hour workshop and one-on-one evaluation by a speech-language pathologist (SLP). Following training, competent screeners will be randomized into one of two groups: Group A - Control group with no refresher course or periodic feedback from SLP; Group B - Web-based skill refresher courses only. Nurses will be evaluated at several timepoints throughout Phase B to assess theoretical dysphagia screening knowledge and skills.

Trial Health

90
On Track

Trial Health Score

Automated assessment based on enrollment pace, timeline, and geographic reach

Enrollment
96

participants targeted

Target at P50-P75 for not_applicable

Timeline
Completed

Started Sep 2007

Longer than P75 for not_applicable

Geographic Reach
2 countries

5 active sites

Status
completed

Health score is calculated from publicly available data and should be used for screening purposes only.

Trial Relationships

Click on a node to explore related trials.

Study Timeline

Key milestones and dates

Study Start

First participant enrolled

September 1, 2007

Completed
3 months until next milestone

First Submitted

Initial submission to the registry

December 7, 2007

Completed
4 days until next milestone

First Posted

Study publicly available on registry

December 11, 2007

Completed
3.5 years until next milestone

Primary Completion

Last participant's last visit for primary outcome

June 1, 2011

Completed
Same day until next milestone

Study Completion

Last participant's last visit for all outcomes

June 1, 2011

Completed
Last Updated

January 11, 2012

Status Verified

January 1, 2012

Enrollment Period

3.8 years

First QC Date

December 7, 2007

Last Update Submit

January 9, 2012

Conditions

Deglutition DisordersDysphagiaStroke

Keywords

Skill MaintenanceSkill DecayScreening

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

  • Skill decay over time among nurses trained to use the TOR-BSST© to screen for dysphagia in stroke patients

    1 year

Study Arms (2)

Group A Nurses

NO INTERVENTION

Participants receive neither web-based refresher courses nor periodic feedback by SLP

Group B Nurses

EXPERIMENTAL

Participants receive web-based skill refresher courses but no periodic feedback by SLP

Other: TOR-BSST© Refresher Training

Interventions

TOR-BSST© Refresher TrainingOTHER

Web-based refresher training in dysphagia screening

Group B Nurses

Eligibility Criteria

Sexall
Healthy VolunteersYes
Age GroupsChild (0-17), Adult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)

You may qualify if:

  • Nurses who care for acute stroke patients

Contact the study team to confirm eligibility.

Sponsors & Collaborators

Study Sites (5)

Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital

Binghamton, New York, United States

Location

Foothills Hospital

Calgary, Alberta, Canada

Location

Alberta Health Services - Capital Health (University of Alberta Hospital, Royal Alexandra Hospital)

Edmonton, Alberta, Canada

Location

Georgian Bay General Hospital

Penetanguishene/Midland, Ontario, Canada

Location

University Health Network - Toronto Western Hospital

Toronto, Ontario, M5T 2S8, Canada

Location

Related Publications (3)

  • Martino R, Foley N, Bhogal S, Diamant N, Speechley M, Teasell R. Dysphagia after stroke: incidence, diagnosis, and pulmonary complications. Stroke. 2005 Dec;36(12):2756-63. doi: 10.1161/01.STR.0000190056.76543.eb. Epub 2005 Nov 3.

    PMID: 16269630BACKGROUND

  • Martino R, Pron G, Diamant N. Screening for oropharyngeal dysphagia in stroke: insufficient evidence for guidelines. Dysphagia. 2000 Winter;15(1):19-30. doi: 10.1007/s004559910006.

    PMID: 10594255BACKGROUND

  • Martino R, Silver F, Teasell R, Bayley M, Nicholson G, Streiner DL, Diamant NE. The Toronto Bedside Swallowing Screening Test (TOR-BSST): development and validation of a dysphagia screening tool for patients with stroke. Stroke. 2009 Feb;40(2):555-61. doi: 10.1161/STROKEAHA.107.510370. Epub 2008 Dec 12.

    PMID: 19074483BACKGROUND

Related Links

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Deglutition DisordersStroke

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Esophageal DiseasesGastrointestinal DiseasesDigestive System DiseasesPharyngeal DiseasesOtorhinolaryngologic DiseasesCerebrovascular DisordersBrain DiseasesCentral Nervous System DiseasesNervous System DiseasesVascular DiseasesCardiovascular Diseases

Study Officials

  • Rosemary Martino, MA, MSc, PhD

    University of Toronto, Dept. of Speech Language Pathology

    PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Study Design

Study Type
interventional
Phase
not applicable
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Masking
NONE
Purpose
PREVENTION
Intervention Model
PARALLEL
Sponsor Type
OTHER
Responsible Party
SPONSOR

Study Record Dates

First Submitted

December 7, 2007

First Posted

December 11, 2007

Study Start

September 1, 2007

Primary Completion

June 1, 2011

Study Completion

June 1, 2011

Last Updated

January 11, 2012

Record last verified: 2012-01

Locations

CA(4)US(1)