General Assessment:
- The examiner asks the patient to take a sip of water on their command
- The examiner asks the patient to say “aahh” with the mouth wide open and checks if the uvula elevates and inspects the palate for symmetry
- The examiner evaluates if the patient has a hoarse voice or bovine cough
Gag Reflex Assessment:
- The examiner uses a tongue depressor to touch the back of the patient’s tongue on both sides and checks for the gag reflex
Positive Outcome: Patient has difficulties swallowing once asked to take a sip, shows asymmetries of the palate, has a hoarse voice or bovine cough as well as an absent or asymmetrical gag reflex
|
Study |
Reliability | Sn | Sp | LR+ | LR- |
| Damadoran et al. (2014) | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA |
| Kelly et al. (2018): Rinne’s Test |
NA | 16-91 | 50-100 | NA | NA |
| Kelly et al. (2018): Weber’s Test |
NA | NA | NA | NA | NA |
