Researcher

Gwen Van Nuffelen

Research Expertise:My main research topics are related to 1) assessment and treatment of dysphagia in head and neck cancer patients and patients with neurological diseases 2) assessment and treatment of motor speech disorders including training algorithms and neural networks for that purpose 3) assessment and treatment of voice disorders

Keywords:VOICE DISORDERS, MOTOR SPEECH DISORDERS, COMMUNICATION, SWALLOWING DISORDERS, INNOVATIONS, SPEECH, EXPERIMENTAL STUDY, Medicine

Disciplines:Neurological and neuromuscular diseases, Neurophysiology, Laryngology, Otorhinolaryngology not elsewhere classified

Research techniques:- profound experience in multidisciplinary and/or multicenter randomized, controlled trials & prospective cohort studies - thorough experience in prophylactic studies in HNC-patients treated with RT/C - objective measurements of tongue strength & strength of the suprahyoid muscles - instrumental evaluation of swallowing by means of FEES end VFES - instrumental analysis of vocal fold behavior and condition by means of stroboscopy - acoustic analysis of speech and voice - objective analysis of intelligibility - automated analysis of articulatory skills - standardized questionnaires to assess QoL and participation related to voice, swallowing and speech

Users of research expertise:Our research is direct towards - patients with head and neck cancer treated with CCRT or surgery - patients with neurological diseases - patients with voice disorders - patients with impairments that lead to swallowing, speech or voice disorders - groups that are vulnerable to swallowing disorders (e.g. men/women 65+) - professional (e.g.teachers) and elite (e.g. singers) vocal performers