Feel it or deal with it: Oral perception and aspiration risk in early stroke

Background Sensation and perception impairments are significant problems faced by individuals with early‐stage stroke. Sensory inputs needed in swallowing guide the perceptual process with the involvement of cognitive functions. In the absence of sensory input, bolus perception may be altered, and swallowing safety may be compromised. Objectives This study aims to evaluate the oral perception of volume change and the aspiration risk of individuals with stroke and determine the relationship between oral perception and aspiration risk. Methods Total participants were 35. The Gugging Swallowing Screening Test (GUSS) was used to determine individuals' risk of aspiration and divide them into groups ‘aspiration risk’ and ‘non‐aspiration risk’. The Oral Perception of Liquid Volume Changes Test (OPLVCT) was used to determine the level of oral perception. Results The groups were statistically similar in terms of age and other descriptives. When the OPLVC test was examined, the scores of the aspiration risk group were significantly lower (p