- Extent of brain injury.
- Duration of coma (Lazarus & Logemann, 1987).
- Lower Glasgow Coma Score on admission (GCS 3-5) (Mackay et al., 1999).
- Severity of CT Scan findings (Mackay et al., 1999).
- Duration of mechanical ventilation (Mackay et al., 1999).
- Tracheostomy.
- Translaryngeal (endotracheal) intubation.
- Severe cognitive and cognitive-communication disorders.
- Physical damage to oral, pharyngeal, laryngeal, and esophageal structures.
- Oral and pharyngeal sensory difficulties.
|
