Description
PharyngoCARE is a comprehensive preventative fitness program for individuals undergoing head and neck
chemoradiotherapy. The exercises include:
- Tongue Strengthening using TonguePRESS®
- Falsetto Resistance Drills using SOVT with LaryngeLIFT™
- Chin Tuck Against Resistance for suprahyoid and UES opening using CTAR Ball® Premium
- Jaw Opening Against Resistance using CTAR Ball® Premium
- Power Sucking to improve tongue retraction, velopharyngeal closure, and laryngeal elevation along
with swallow drills including Effortful Swallow, Masako, and Mendelsohn Maneuvers using
ResistSTRAWS
The product is designed to complement formal swallowing treatment and diet modifications while patients
undergo chemoradiotherapy to prevent loss of oral feeding skills and the loss of swallowing strength from lack
of use. The exercises are designed for home drills. Included is a Daily Oropharyngeal Swallowing Exercises card
with pictured instructions, prescriptive assignments by the attending swallowing professional and a charting
grid. Additionally, PharynoCARE provides an article by Tiffani L. Wallace, MA, CCC-SLP, BCS-S entitled Treating
Patients with Head and Neck Cancer. Tiffani provides an overview of the current research and treatments
recommended in establishing preventive swallowing programs for patients undergoing chemoradiotherapy.