The EAT-10 is a patient-reported outcome (aka questionnaire) that is recommended by ASHA and has excellent consistency and validity.
Not only that, it’s only 10 questions long (hence the name) and can be used before and after treatment to track progress.
Plus, it’s available as a free PDF online in English and Spanish!
In this short article, we’ll review who you can use the EAT-10 with and what you can expect from the tool.
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Purpose of the EAT-10
The EAT-10 is used to screen for dysphagia and aspiration risk.
Researchers found that the EAT-10 can predict aspiration risk and identify patients who have dysphagia.
However, the keyword is “can.” For instance, the researchers found that patients with scores of 15 or greater were 2.2 times more likely to aspirate. But they also noted that having a score of 16 or less didn’t rule out the possibility of aspiration.
When to use the EAT-10
You can use the EAT-10 whenever you need to screen for dysphagia.
However, if your patient has any dysphagia red flags or was referred to you specifically for a dysphagia assessment, complete a full swallowing assessment instead. Include an oral mechanism examination, bedside food and liquid trials, and an imaging study, as appropriate.
The Questions
The tool is readily available as a free PDF online, but here’s a quick outline of the questions your patient will answer about their swallowing.
Your patient will rate each question on a scale of 0 (no problem) to 4 (severe problem):
- Weight loss
- Inability to go out for meals
- Increased swallowing effort
- Pain while swallowing
- Reduced pleasure while eating
- Bolus sensation
- Coughing
- Stress when swallowing
How to score
Tally up the numbers!
The total score ranges from 0 to 40.
How To Interpret The Scores
Abnormal score: 15 or more. Your patient is at risk for aspiration. Follow up with a full dysphagia assessment and introduce safe swallowing strategies and a modified diet, as needed.
Normal score: 16 or less. Your patient may not be at risk for aspiration. If you notice any swallowing red flags, follow up with a full dysphagia assessment and introduce any strategies or a modified diet, as needed.
If your patient scores a 15 or 16, play it safe and complete a full dysphagia assessment.
References
- American Speech-Language-Hearing Association. “Patient-Reported Outcome Forms.” https://www.asha.org/noms/patient-reported-outcome-forms/
- Belafsky P.C., et al. (2008). Validity and Reliability of the Eating Assessment Tool (EAT-10). Annals of Otology, Rhinology & Laryngology, 17(12), 919-924. doi:10.1177/000348940811701210
- Cheney, D.M., et al. (2015). The Ability of the 10-Iteam Eating Assessment Tool (EAT-10) to Predict Aspiration Risk in Persons With Dysphagia. Annals of Otology, Rhinology & Laryngology, 124(5), 351-354. doi:10.1177/0003489414558107
- Etges, C.L. et al. (2014). Screening Tools for Dysphagia: A Systematic Review. Communication Disorders, Audiology and Swallowing, 26(5), 343-349. https://doi.org/10.1590/2317-1782/20142014057