Perception of the main caregiver on the limiting factors of using consistencies for feeding patients with dysphagia: systematic review

Abstract

Modifying the consistency of food alludes to reconfiguring the texture of food to inhibit the risks in the transport of food bolus presented by patients with dysphagia. When dysphagia is managed at home, the handling, preparation and offering of food is the responsibility of a family member/primary caregiver who, occasionally, does not know or interpret considerations for the management of consistencies. The objective of this systematic review was to investigate in the literature, from the perspective of the caregiver, the limiting factors of using consistencies as a means of accompaniment and support in feeding patients with dysphagia. To do this, the PRISMA methodology was followed; a search in the ScienceDirect, Virtual Health Library (VHL) and Scielo databases was performed to identify articles published between 2016 and 2021. 9 studies were selected in English and Spanish, which complied with all the inclusion criteria and considered the perception of the main caregiver in connection with the modification of consistencies for the management to dysphagia. This review synthesizes data on the management of consistencies by the caregiver in 7 categories, related to the knowledge of dysphagia, evidence of signs and symptoms, understanding of the strategy of modification of consistencies, costs, biopsychosocial factor of feeding, psychosocial state of the patient and professional support. Future studies are proposed to deepen these issues.