NCT06877897

Comparing the Assessment Accuracy Between Submental Ultrasound and Speech Therapists in Nasogastric Tube Removal

A Study of the Differences Between Submental Ultrasonography (SUS) and Assessment by Speech-Language Pathologists (SLP) for Nasogastric Tube Removal

• Status: Enrolling By Invitation
• Phase: N/A
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 150 (estimated)
• Sponsor: National Taiwan University Hospital · Academic / Other
• Sex: All
• Age: 18 Years
• Healthy volunteers: Not accepted

Summary

This randomized controlled trial aims to compare the assessment accuracy between submental ultrasound (SUS) and speech-language pathologists (SLP) for nasogastric tube removal in post-acute dysphagia adult patients. The primary question is whether the assessment accuracy of submental ultrasound (SUS) is equivalent to or better than that of speech-language pathologists (SLP). Participants will undergo both submental ultrasound (SUS) and speech-language pathologists (SLP) assessments and will be randomly assigned to either the SUS group or the SLP group for further evaluation. The SUS group will follow an oral feeding and tube removal training protocol based on submental ultrasound criteria for swallowing function (maximum hyoid bone displacement ≥ 1.38 cm). The SLP group will follow similar training protocols based on the speech-language pathologist's clinical assessment. Researchers will compare outcomes such as nasogastric tube removal rate, vital signs, basic laboratory data, hyoid bone displacement on ultrasound, choking and aspiration rates, success rates of training protocols, and Functional Oral Intake Scale (FOIS) scores to determine if SUS is a reliable assessment method for swallowing function and NG tube removal.

Conditions

• Dysphagia Rehabilitation

Interventions

Type	Name	Description
DIAGNOSTIC_TEST	Submental ultrasound criteria	According to the submental ultrasound criteria, a maximum hyoid bone displacement of ≥1.38 cm is required in the swallowing function assessment to qualify for the oral feeding diet and tube removal training protocol.
DIAGNOSTIC_TEST	Routine swallowing function assessment of speech-language pathologist	The speech-language pathologist (SLP) assessment includes the evaluation of sensory and motor functions of the oral and facial muscles, phonation, swallowing motion, and other relevant factors.

Timeline

• Start date: 2025-02-04
• Primary completion: 2026-12-01
• Completion: 2026-12-01
• First posted: 2025-03-14
• Last updated: 2026-01-02

Locations

1 site across 1 country: Taiwan