Objective: This study aimed to develop a foundational smart dysphagia rehabilitation program for patients with post-stroke dysphagia by developing an immersive swallowing exercise training video and a smart Chin Tuck Against Resistance (CTAR) exercise assist device, and to examine the content validity, usability, and preliminary applicability through evaluations conducted by expert and clinician groups.
Methods: The study methods involved developing initial content based on a literature review that reflected swallowing-stage-specific problems and intervention components. Content validity was then evaluated by an expert group, and preliminary applicability and usability were examined through a clinician usability evaluation. Subsequently, a pre-calibration measurement was conducted to analyze the pressure values of the FSR sensor and establish the vibration feedback threshold. The immersive swallowing exercise training video was designed to include swallowing-stage-specific exercises and compensatory strategies, while the smart Chin Tuck Against Resistance (CTAR) exercise assist device was developed to provide tactile feedback according to pressure using a Force Sensitive Resistor (FSR) sensor. Collected data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, including means and standard deviations, with IBM SPSS Statistics 25.0.
Results: In the first content validity evaluation, the S-CVI/Ave was 0.89, and items that did not meet the criteria were revised, deleted, or added based on expert feedback. In the second content validity evaluation, the S-CVI/Ave was 0.98, establishing the final program's content validity. In the clinician usability assessment, the overall mean score was 4.22±0.88, with 95.6% of responses being “moderate” or higher. The preliminary calibration of the FSR sensor revealed output values of 1.8±1.2 in the unloaded state, 48.6±15.3 during simple chin contact, and 162.4±38.7 during the execution of the CTAR exercise; based on these empirical data, the operational threshold for vibration feedback was established.
Conclusion: This study is significant in that it systematically developed an immersive swallowing exercise educational video and a smart CTAR exercise assistive device for patients with post-stroke dysphagia and confirmed their initial applicability. The program developed in this study is expected to serve as foundational data for future digital-based dysphagia rehabilitation interventions and occupational therapy.