ABSTRACT
Patients with chronic respiratory disorders, such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), experience complex functional impairments that require multidisciplinary expertise for adequate management. Exacerbation-related malnutrition in particular has significant consequences for oral–motor muscle function and oral food intake. This, in turn, can increase exacerbations of the disease, with rapid deterioration of ventilatory function. This case report describes an integrated respiratory and swallowing assessment and treatment approach encompassing exercised-based training and the implementation of mealtime adaptation strategies in an intensive treatment programme. The outcome highlights the importance of combining functional treatment and patient education in order to support autonomy and perception of self-effectiveness in daily life with a chronic progressive respiratory disease.
