How is Synchrony used for Swallow Problems

Gaylord’s speech and language pathologists (SLPs) use the Synchrony Interactive sEMG Dysphagia
Treatment System in our inpatient and outpatient programs to assist patients with their swallow. The system is the world’s first virtual reality sEMG biofeedback system to help patients visualize swallow activity. Through the use of engaging exercise visualizations, data dashboards, and reporting tools, Synchrony gives therapists the ability to help patients learn new and unfamiliar swallow behaviors. The system receives and displays feedback from a single electrode that is placed on the muscles above the hyoid bone, or “Adam’s apple,” enabling the patient and therapist to observe a swallow in real-time on a screen. Patients are guided through therapeutic exercises with a series of interactive activities that address dysfunction typically associated with dysphagia. To make an Outpatient Appointment: (203) 284-2888, option 1.

Difficulty swallowing, known as dysphagia, occurs when there is a problem with the neural control
or the structures involved in any part of the swallowing process. The condition affects about one
in 25 adults in the United States. Dysphagia impacts a patient’s physical, social, and emotional
quality of life and can lead to serious medical complications such as aspiration pneumonia.
Diseases including Parkinson’s, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, and multiple sclerosis can cause
dysphagia, as can a stroke or traumatic brain injury.