Effects of Oxygen via High-Flow Nasal Cannula on Adult Oropharyngeal Swallowing: A Literature Review

Purpose The use of high-flow oxygen via nasal cannula has become increasingly more common in various patient populations given the multiple benefits for treating respiratory distress and failure. There is emerging, though varying research on impact delivery may have adult oropharyngeal swallowing function. purpose this literature review to outline available examine study design, investigated, findings, clinical considerations these findings. Method After an extensive online database search, we found five peer-reviewed articles specifically investigating function adults receiving (HFNC) therapy. Each article was reviewed summarized detail with close attention paid results implications. Limitations, indirectness, and/or methodologic flaws are highlighted readers' consideration. Conclusions Four prospective design studies one retrospective data analysis collection been published evaluating effects therapy swallowing. Three evaluated healthy adults; investigated acute care patients requiring HFNC. Study findings varied greatly likely due variability each study's subject population, methods. Variability make it challenging speech pathologists attempting evidence-based decision making practice. Additional nonhealthy subjects undergoing instrumental swallow while HFNC warranted.