MBSImP, ASPEKT-C, and DIGEST: Review and Integration

Instrumentation plays a critical role in the assessment and management of dysphagia, providing data to guide clinical decisions. Standardized measures facilitate consistency, improve reliability, and enhance the ability to track patient progress over time.

This course provides clinicians with a deeper understanding of three standardized tools—MBSImP*, DIGEST**, and ASPEKT-C***—used in modified barium swallow studies (MBSS) within a structure that provides attendees with practical insights into integrating these tools.

The course includes insights from the creators of each tool and emphasizes the integration and complementary nature of these measures to guide clinical decision-making. Participants will learn when and why to apply each tool based on specific clinical or research questions.

The session features expert-led presentations on each tool, followed by case-based discussions where instructors will demonstrate how all three tools can be used. A working knowledge of DIGEST, MBSImP, and ASPEKT-C is not required for course completion.
* Modified Barium Swallow Impairment Profile (MBSImP)
** Dynamic Imaging Grade of Swallowing Toxicity (DIGEST)
*** Analysis of Swallowing Physiology: Events, Kinematics, and Timing for Use in Clinical Practice (ASPEKT-C)

Live Webinar - Zoom
May 3, 2025 - 8:00 AM - 11:00 AM EST

Early Bird rate ($50) is good through April 10th

ASHA CE

To earn a certificate, and ASHA CEUs if desired, eligible learners must do the following within 7 days of viewing the entire webinar:

-Obtain 80% on a short post assessment (may be retaken as needed).
-Complete required items in a learner survey.

Learning Objectives:

  • 1. Identify domains of swallow measurement complementing swallow safety.
  • 2. Distinguish measures of swallowing safety, efficiency, physiology, and timing.
  • 3. Match validated measures to the appropriate measurement domain.

Schedule

DIGEST: An Overview with Dr. Kate A. Hutcheson

Minutes 0 - 30

MBSImP: An Overview with Dr. Bonnie Martin-Harris

Minutes 30 - 60

ASPEKT-C: An Overview with Dr. Catriona Steele

Minutes 60 - 90

Case Study 1: Application of DIGEST, MBSImP, and ASPEKT-C - All Instructors

Minutes 90 - 120

Case Study 2: Application of DIGEST, MBSImP, and ASPEKT-C  - All Instructors

Minutes 120 - 150

Expert Panel Discussion with Q & A - All Instructors


Minutes 150 - 180

Bonnie Martin-Harris, PhD, CCC-SLP, BCS-S, ASHA Honors

Dr. Martin-Harris, a clinician and clinician scientist, is the Alice Gabrielle Twight Professor in the Roxelyn and Richard Pepper Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders and Feinberg School of Medicine, and Associate Dean for Faculty Affairs in the School of Communication at Northwestern University. Her research interests include swallowing impairment and respiratory-swallowing interactions, assessment and treatment approaches for patients with head and neck cancer, neurologic and pulmonary diseases. Dr. Martin-Harris’ research is funded by the NIH/NCI, The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research, Bracco Diagnostics, and MUSC Zucker Foundation. 

Over the past 20 years, her research has resulted in the first universal, standardized, reliable and valid method for training, interpreting, reporting, and analyzing visual observations of swallowing impairment from modified barium swallowing studies using videofluoroscopic imaging, the Modified Barium Swallow Impairment Profile (MBSImP™). The significance and impact of this work is reflected in its widespread clinical translation by over 10,500 clinicians across 50 countries and in 185 graduate educational programs.

Financial Disclosures:
Royalties: MBSImP Copyright from Northern Speech Services through agreement with Medical University of South Carolina (Zucker Institute)
Speaking Fee: Gap Education

Non Financial Disclosures: None
Dr. Katherine (Kate) A. Hutcheson is a tenured Professor in the Department of Head and Neck Surgery with dual appointment in the Division of Radiation Oncology at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center. She serves as Chief for Speech Pathology and Audiology, Fellowship Director for Audiology and Oncologic Speech Pathology, and Deputy Director of Head and Neck Surgery Clinical Research and is adjunct faculty at the University of Houston. Dr. Hutcheson is a clinician-scientist, practicing as a Speech Language Pathologist for 20 years with Board Certification as a Specialist in Swallowing and Swallowing Disorders (BCS-S), and a Fellow of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association. She serves as Associate Editor for the journals of Dysphagia and Head and Neck. Dr. Hutcheson leads a globally recognized program of practice oriented clinical research and has authored over 175 peer-reviewed and invited articles with funding support from the National Institutes of Health, Patient Centered Outcomes Research Institute, the Department of Defense, the MD Anderson Institutional Research Grant Award program, philanthropic and foundation funding after her post-doctoral funding by the Cancer Prevention Research Institute of Texas UT Health Innovation Training Program.

Financial Disclosures:
Honoraria: UCSF, Ohio State University, Medbridge, NRG,  American Board of Swallowing and Disorders 
Speaking Fee: Gap Education 

Non Financial Disclosures:
HNCA - Board Membership
DIGEST - Developer

Kate A. Hutcheson, PhD, CCC-SLP, BCS-S, ASHA Fellow

Catriona Steele, Ph.D., CCC-SLP, S-LP(C), Reg. CASLPO, ASHA Honors

Professor Catriona M. Steele is the Director of the Swallowing Rehabilitation Research Laboratory at the Toronto Rehabilitation Institute – University Health Network and Tier 1 Canada Research Chair in Swallowing and Food Oral Processing.

Professor Steele also holds an appointment in the Graduate Department of Speech-Language Pathology, Rehabilitation Sciences Institute at the University of Toronto. Prior to completing her Ph.D., Professor Steele worked as a medical speech-language pathologist for 10 years.

Professor Steele is the 2024-2025 President of the Dysphagia Research Society. She has published more than 195 peer-reviewed publications. Professor Steele is in demand as a teacher around the world.

Financial Disclosures:
Salary: University Health Network, Toronto, Canada
Salary: Canada Research Chairs Secretariat, Ottawa, Canada
Grant: NIA R01AG077481 (PIs Steele, Plowman)
Industry Contract: Benitec Biopharma Inc.
Royalties: Medbridge, Northern Speech Services
Consulting Fees: Nestle Health Science
Speaking Fees as the Developer, ASPEKT and ASPEKT-C Methods of Videofluoroscopy Analysis (Analysis of Swallowing Physiology - Events, Kinematics and Timing)
Speaking Fee: Gap Education

Non-Financial Disclosures:
DRS: President, 2024-2025
IDDSI: Board Member, 2012-2023
Associate Editor, Dysphagia Journal (currently on leave)
Editorial board member, Journal of Texture Studies

Course Sponsors

TIMS Medical is a Financial and In-Kind Sponsor of this Webinar Course

BRACCO is a Financial and In-Kind Sponsor of this Webinar Course
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