Speaking Valve Influence on Breathing, Swallowing and Vocal Functions in Patients With Tracheostomy.

Speaking Valve Influence on Breathing, Swallowing and Vocal Functions in Patients With Tracheostomy.

Speaking valve seems to have a beneficial influence on breathing and secretion management in certain patients with tracheostomy.

The investigators plan to use a speaking valve during respiratory physical therapy sessions in participants with disturbances of consciousness, who have a tracheostomy, with no need of a mechanical ventilation.

Inclusion Criteria:

• brain injury (traumatic/non-traumatic).
• tracheostomy.
• unresponsive wakefulness syndrome or minimally conscious state.
• fiber optic examination as follows: good mobilization of the vocal cords. No airway granulation, MarianJoy scale score: 1-3.
• the legal guardian speaks Hebrew.

Exclusion Criteria:

• airway stenosis / inflammation.
• oxygen saturation <90%.