On the research front….

Here is a summary of current research..lots of interesting new info!

Carpenter, K. M., & Garfinkel, M. (2021). Home and Parent Training Strategies for Pediatric Feeding Disorders: The Caregivers’ Perspective. The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy, 9(1), 1–21. https://doi.org/10.15453/2168-6408.1725

The study aimed to look at how feeding strategies that alter routines of family meals impact the individual as well as the family. 108 participants completed an online survey and answered questions about how the feeding strategies affect the individual and the family. The results indicated that caregivers are receiving intervention feel somewhat supported, but they desire more support, want to connect to other families facing similar challenges, and they need strategies to help them cope and manage stress. The journal article concludes that feeding treatment is enhanced by focusing on the family relationships and stress management during treatment.

Salvia, E., Amaddeo, A., Coscia, A., Zangani, M., & Tambucci, R. (2023). Development and pilot study of a pediatric screening for feeding and swallowing disorders (FSD). Children, 10(4), 638. https://doi.org/10.3390/children10040638

This article focused on the development of a new screening tool, the PS-PED, designed to screen children and identify need for a full evaluation. The tool has 14 questions about child’s feeding behavior, medical background, and any signs that might point to swallowing difficulty. 70 childre particpated between the ages of 0 and 6 and results were compared with findings on a videofluoroscopic swallow studies (VFSS).  Authors founds that higher scores on the screening tool matched up with abnormal results on the VFSS. The authors recommend the PS-PED as a useful way to screen kids for feeding or swallowing issues. More research is needed before it’s used on a larger scale, but the first round of results looks promising.

Andersen, A. S., Crowley-Zalaket, J. G., Engler, C. W., Zeleny, J. R., Peterson, K. M., Miles, A. G., & Piazza, C. C. (2024). Long-Term outcomes after behavior-analytic intervention for pediatric feeding disorders. Journal of Developmental and Physical Disabilities, 36(6), 1039–1054. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10882-024-09960-w

This study was completed to assess the long-term effects of the children who attended intensive feeding programs. The study evaluated children with autism and some without whom have pediatric feeding disorders. The participants all previously attended intensive feeding programs. The caregivers were asked to fill out questionnaires to assess long-term outcomes, anthroprometice information, and food intake. A dietician then compared this information with the foods that the child ate by discharge of the intensive program. The results showed that 85% of the caregivers stated that the program had an impact on their child’s eating. In the follow-up questionnaires it was concluded that most children maintained or improved their diet. In conclusion, the study shows that behavior-analytic intervention for a child with a feeding disorder made lasting changes (Andersen et al., 2024).

Cohen, S. C., & Dilfer, K. (2022). Pediatric Feeding Disorder in Early Intervention: Expanding Access, Improving Outcomes, and Prioritizing Responsive Feeding. Perspectives of the ASHA Special Interest Groups, 7(3), 829–840. https://doi.org/10.1044/2022_PERSP-20-00259

Cohen, S. C., & Dilfer, K. (2022). Pediatric Feeding Disorder in Early Intervention: Expanding Access, Improving Outcomes, and Prioritizing Responsive Feeding. Perspectives of the ASHA Special Interest Groups, 7(3), 829–840. https://doi.org/10.1044/2022_PERSP-20-00259

This article highlights how Pediatric Feeding Disorder (PFD) can negatively impact a child’s development and family well-being, while also addressing the emotional challenges parents face during mealtimes. It identifies key barriers to accessing Early Intervention (EI) services—such as the lack of an automatically qualifying diagnosis, limited feeding-specific assessment tools, inconsistent provider training, and variability in service delivery—and proposes solutions to improve access and support. Through a comprehensive review, the authors examine the definition of PFD, the complex needs of families, the benefits of responsive feeding, and how these practices align with EI principles. A key insight is that EI is a strong setting to support children with PFD, offering team-based, often low-cost services in natural environments like the home. EI emphasizes individualized, strengths-based care through the use of an Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP). Responsive feeding strategies, which promote child autonomy and strengthen the parent-child bond, are a natural fit within EI. To overcome current barriers, the authors recommend recognizing PFD as an auto-qualifying diagnosis, approving stand-alone assessments like PediEAT or ChOMPS, and requiring provider training in responsive, family-centered approaches such as routine-based care, parent coaching, and anticipatory guidance. Overall, the article highlights the important role EI can play in helping children with PFD and their families thrive (Cohen and Dilfer 2022).

Silverman, A. H., Erato, G., & Goday, P. (2021). The relationship between chronic paediatric feeding disorders and caregiver stress. Journal of Child Health Care, 25(1), 69-80.

The purpose of this study was to measure the levels of stress that caregivers of children with PFD experience. The study was conducted by recruiting families who were referred to the Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin due to a diagnosis of PFD. Caregivers completed the Parent Stress Index–Short Form, Mealtime Behaviour Questionnaire, Child Development Inventory, and the Child Behaviour Checklist. Data was collected from these forms over the span of nine years. These scores were then compared to scores from parents without children with PFD. Parents of children with PFD reported significantly higher levels of stress than the normative group as well as higher levels of stress associated with perceptions of their child as difficult and parent-child dysfunctional interactions. The results of this study bring us to the conclusion that the development and behavior of children with PFD significantly predict parental stress. 

Georgiou, R., Voniati, L., Gryparis, A., Papaleontiou, A., Ziavra, N., & Tafiadis, D. (2024). Evaluation of the efficacy of focal vibration therapy—Novafon as an assistive therapeutic tool for children with feeding and swallowing disorders. Journal of Oral Rehabilitation, 52(3), 312–319. https://doi.org/10.1111/joor.13900

 The purpose of this study was to assess the effectiveness of focal vibration therapy—Novafon as an assistive therapeutic intervention for children with feeding and swallowing difficulties. A new therapeutic vibration device,  Novafon, uses focal vibration on the muscles (15). This medical device is used in intervention as an assistive tool, and it can provide vibratory stimulation that can penetrate up to 6 cm into the muscle tissue (stimulation of superficial and deep mechanoreceptors) [15, 16]. The study involved 122 children with dysphagia who were divided into two groups: 61 children who received conventional dysphagia therapy (cCDTh) and 61 children who received conventional dysphagia therapy in combination with Novafon therapy (cCDTh+NTh). All children were evaluated for pre-, mid-, and post-dysphagia therapy using the Gugging Swallowing Screen (GUSS) and the Pediatric Eating Assessment Tool-10 (PEDI-EAT-10). THE PEDI-EAT-10 total scores for both groups observed that the cCDTh+NTh group had a significant decrease in the overall median between pre- and post-dysphagia therapy total score (Median=3.00) compared to the cTDTh score (Median=7.00). GUSS total scores between the two groups showed an increase in overall medians. However, the cCDTh+NTh group (Median of pre-therapy = 16.50, mid–therapy = 19.00, and post-therapy = 20.00) noted a higher increase in medians compared to the cCDTh group (Median of pre-therapy = 15.00, mid-therapy = 16.00, and post-therapy = 17.00). The present study highlights that focal vibration therapy using Novafon may serve as an effective and supportive approach within conventional dysphagia therapy for children. Further research is necessary to enhance the evidence-based literature on the use of Novafon in pediatric dysphagia.

Couto, G. R., Dias, V., & Oliveira, I. J. (2020). Benefits of exclusive breastfeeding: An integrative review. Nursing Practice Today, 7(4), 245–254. https://doi.org/10.18502/npt.v7i4.4034

This article focuses on discussing the benefits of exclusive breastfeeding (for the first 6 months) has to offer to mothers and babies. The aim of the study was to identify what these primary benefits are but completing an integrative review. The results showed that there are several key benefits of breastfeeding for both mother and baby. For the baby, these benefits include reduced risk of infection, increased immune system development, and increased cognitive development. For the mother, the benefits include lower risk of breast cancer, lower risk of ovarian cancer, and lower risk of postpartum depression. The conclusions of the study reported that parents should know the benefits of breastfeeding and nurses should encourage mothers to breastfeed as well as inform them of this research. 

Fujiki, R. B., Nimtz, A., & Thibeault, S. L. (2025). Side-Lying Position Is Associated With Improved Swallow Outcomes When Compared to Semi-Upright Position in Infants With Dysphagia. American Journal of Speech-Language Pathology, 34(3), 1366–1379. https://doi.org/10.1044/2025_AJSLP-24-00473

This study aimed to determine which feeding position is optimal for swallowing- side-lying or a semi-upright position- in infants with dysphagia. This study employed a cross-sectional design using VFSS to determine the effects of position on swallowing. Twenty-one infants with dysphagia participated. Each infant was given the same bottle and nipple protocol with a thin liquid and underwent a VFSS in both the side-lying and semi-upright positions. The outcomes of the infant’s swallow were observed by three experienced SLPs in a blind assessment. The SLPs focused on analyzing the severity of the penetration/aspiration and where the bolus is when the swallow is triggered. The results showed that the side-lying position resulted in penetration being minimized by 91%. There was also a severe reduction in the frequency of the penetration/aspiration in the side-lying position, compared to the semi-upright position. In conclusion, the study found that feeding an infant in the side-lying position is associated with less frequent and less severe penetration or aspiration, suggesting that side-lying is a safer position for infants when bottle-feeding.

Ko, H.-J., Shin, Y.-S., Choi, H.-B., & Sohn, H.-J. (2021). Sensory-based feeding intervention for toddlers with food refusal: A randomized controlled trial. Nutrition Research and Practice, 15(4), 366–374. https://doi.org/10.4162/nrp.2021.15.4.366

The aim of this research was to determine whether a structured sensory-based feeding therapy program improves mealtime behavior and sensory processing in toddlers (ages 1–3) exhibiting food refusal, compared to traditional nutritional education alone. A randomized control trial with 32 toddlers was completed.  The intervention group received one-hour sessions of sensory-based feeding therapy five times per week for four weeks, followed by once-weekly sessions for an additional eight weeks. In addition, they received nutritional education every four weeks. The control group received nutritional education only over the same 12-week period. Assessments were conducted at both baseline and at the end of the 12-week period. These included the Behavioral Pediatrics Feeding Assessment Scale (BPFAS) to measure the frequency and intensity of feeding issues, the Infant/Toddler Sensory Profile to assess sensory processing differences, and anthropometric measurements such as weight, height, and z-scores. Results indicated that the intervention group experienced significant improvements in mealtime behavior, with notable reductions in both the frequency and intensity of feeding issues as measured by the BPFAS in both child and parent domains. In contrast, the control group showed no significant changes in mealtime behavior. In terms of anthropometric outcomes, both groups demonstrated increases in weight and height over the course of the study, but there were no statistically significant differences between the groups. In conclusion, the sensory based feeding intervention effectively decreased problematic mealtime behaviors, whereas nutritional education alone was not enough.