Clinician Information
Stop settling for therapy that treats all tongues the same.
The STS™ Dysphagia Therapy Program consistently treats your patient’s unique swallow needs, progressing their recovery utilizing personalized precision.
Clinical Evidence
The Swallow Therapy System is based on pioneering research on isometric progressive resistance dysphagia therapy. This evidence-based research has demonstrated that active rehabilitation of swallowing musculature improves swallowing safety.
How does it work?
Advanced sensors measure pressure at four distinct locations of the tongue with customizable settings addressing endurance, strength and stability. Fully self-contained closed loop for security and facilitation of clinician productivity.
Personalized mouthpiece that is fit to ensure consistent reproducible and reliable patient placement every time
User-friendly interface offering immediate and actionable insights into performance
Easily monitor adherence, quickly adjust, tailor and progress patient therapy goals confidently
Economic Considerations
Dysphagia leads to aspiration pneumonia, which is a major cause of hospital readmissions [1]
23.5% of Medicare beneficiaries discharged to a skilled nursing facility are re-hospitalized within 30 days [2]
Dysphagia accounts for between 13% and 48% of all infections in skilled nursing facility residents [2]
Mean cost for an aspiration pneumonia episode of care is $17,0002
Overall mortality rate ranges from 20% to 50% with rates as high as 80% [2]
Dysphagia leads to aspiration pneumonia, which is a major cause of hospital readmissions [1]
23.5% of Medicare beneficiaries discharged to a skilled nursing facility are re-hospitalized within 30 days [2]
Dysphagia accounts for between 13% and 48% of all infections in skilled nursing facility residents [2]
Mean cost for an aspiration pneumonia episode of care is $17,0002
Overall mortality rate ranges from 20% to 50% with rates as high as 80% [2]
Independent variables odds ratio measures of effect and impact based on incidence rates of hospital readmission, according to oropharyngeal dysphagia status (n=2,359)
Lingual strengthening for improved health and quality of life
Lingual strengthening improves the ability to swallow and decreases aspiration [4]
Decreased frequency of airway invasion
Increased maximum swallowing pressure
Increased swallowing safety
CITATIONS: 1. Cabré M, Serra-Prat M, Force L, Almirall J, Palomera E, Clavé P. Oropharyngeal dysphagia is a risk factor for readmission for pneumonia in the very elderly persons: observational prospective study. J Gerontol A Biol Sci Med Sci. 2014;69(3):330-337. 2. Langmore SE, Terpenning MS, Schork A, et al. Predictors of aspiration pneumonia: how important is dysphagia? Dysphagia. 1998;13(2):69-81. 3. Robbins J, Kays SA, Gangnon RE, et al. The effects of lingual exercise in stroke patients with dysphagia. Arch Phys Med Rehabil. 2007;88(2):150-158. 4. Wulf G, Lee TD, Schmidt RA. Reducing knowledge of results about relative versus absolute timing: differential effects on learning. J Mot Behav. 1994;26(4):362-369. 5. Qureshi AI, Suri MFK, Huang W, Akinci Y, Chaudhry MR, Pond DS, French BR, Siddiq F, Gomez CR. Annual Direct Cost of Dysphagia Associated with Acute Ischemic Stroke in the United States. J Stroke Cerebrovasc Dis. 2022 May;31(5):106407. doi:10.1016/j.jstrokecerebrovasdis.2022.106407. Epub 2022 Mar 5. PMID: 35259613.
The STS™ empowers your patient at home
“The STS’s ability to accurately measure the stability of an isometric press across the tongue’s functional intraoral ROM raises the industry bar of dysphagia therapy.”
The STS™ is a clinician-designed and home-delivered therapy. With its data on demand, your patient’s progress is automatically tracked and stored, giving clinicians quantifiable and actionable results for your next session.
– Michelle Schierts, MS, CCC-SLP, BCS-S