Research Question Essay Examples

Speech Language Therapy

Evaluating the efficacy of various swallowing techniques offered to improve swallowing among adult patients with degenerating disease, two to three months after introduction in to the exercise.

Research Question in PICOT Format

Rehabilitative techniques offered to adults suffering from swallowing especially those with degenerative disorders such as; cancer, Parkinson disease et cetera, have indicated an increasing rate of application of methods that entail a modeled approach of exercise technique (LaPointe & Murdoch, 2014). The concept of these techniques basically involves training muscles, similar to those used in sports medicine. The three major techniques that have indicated improvement in the condition of patients suffering from dysphagia disorder are; shaker exercise, tongue pressure resistance, muscle strength training (LaPointe & Murdoch, 2014). These techniques engages the patients in undertaking certain tasks and apply the principles of muscular load resistance as well as intensity as a means of achieving functional changes in swallowing through variations in psychological processes derived from endurance training or strength exercises. This research will not only focus on an exploration of exercise-based techniques, but also those techniques that involve provision of medication as well as psycho-therapy approaches. The main aim of this research is to determine the level of efficacy of the swallowing techniques offered to patients suffering from dysphagia, especially those that are also affected by degenerative disorders.

Search Strategy

In order to successfully identify the appropriate sources of data, a preliminary research was performed by typing the words, “swallowing techniques among dysphagia patients”. This led to generation of approximately 25 results/sources of data. An analysis was then performed to determine the best sources of data that could be used in the systematic review process. The main sources of electronic databases that were used to determine the best sources of information for the systematic review process were NCBI and the Rehab Research website. The results of this search were then combined with the previous results and a final analysis performed to determine, the ultimate source. This process basically involve determining the source that had information in regard to swallowing rehabilitation techniques among adult patients suffering from degenerative disorders, as such, the key words for the final search were: “Swallowing techniques among patients suffering from degenerative disorder”. This process generated approximately 11 sources; however, a review was performed in relation to accessibility and a direct link to the research topic. The review involved an examination of the titles as well as the abstracts of the eleven sources. The final source selected for the review process was determined on the Rehab Research Website, as a result of the fact that it had a title directly linked to the research question and the fact that it focused on a review of techniques offered to dysphagia patients suffering from neurological- degenerative disorders.

Tabular Representation of the Search Strategy

Peer Review Journal
The peer reviewed journal that would be targeted in the final peer review process is published in the Journal of Rehabilitation Research Development. The journal was published in 2nd November, 2009 by the Department of Veteran Affairs. After performing a systematic search for the appropriate source of data for the peer review process, this journal titled, “Evidence-Base Systematic Review: Oropharyngeal Dysphagia Behavioral Treatments. Part III- Impact of Dysphagia Treatment on Populations with Neurological Disorders”, was selected. The rationale for the selection of this journal was based on various issues. To begin with, this journal focuses on an evidence-based systematic review of the techniques that are offered to patients suffering from dysphagia, specifically those that are suffering from neurological disorders. It is considered a relevant peer review material taking into consideration the fact that it specifically focuses on dysphagia patients suffering from neurological disorders. Neurological disorders are basically degenerative disorders due to the fact that they continuously affect the functionality of the body cells (Narimatsu, 2006). On the other hand, this is a peer review journal focusing on an evidence-based systematic review; as such it will not only provide information in regard to the techniques that are applied to treat patients suffering from swallowing disorders, specifically those suffering from neurological disorders, but also provide an insight on the review of information provided by the authors in relation to the efficacy of these techniques. The fact that this source focuses on an evidence-based systematic review, indicates that there is a high probability that the information provided is accurate and valid. Evidence-based systematic review is usually characterized by the use of research techniques that focus on application of reliable data for review processes.

References

Ashford, J. (2009). Evidence-based systematic review: Oropharyngeal dysphagia behavioral treatments. Part III—Impact of dysphagia treatments on populations with neurological disorders. Jounal of Rehabilitation Research Development, 46(2), 195-204.
 
LaPointe, L., & Murdoch, B. (2014). Movement disorders in neurologic disease: Effects on communication and swallowing. San Diego, CA: Plural Publishing.
Narimatsu, H. (2006). Neurological Disorders in Mice Lacking Glycogenes that are Mainly Expressed in Brain. CNS & Neurological Disorders - Drug Targets (Formerly Current Drug Targets - CNS & Neurological Disorders), 441-444.