Visualizing the Consistency of Thickened Liquids With Simple Tools: Implications for Clinical Practice

Purpose Accurate texture modifications to thin liquids are a critical aspect of patients' nutritional health and well-being. This study explored the use of 3 tools (2 distance- and 1 time-measuring devices) to characterize texture-modified liquids. The objectives were to use the tools to measure modified liquids, to determine if measurements differentiated nectar and honey levels of modification, and to compare measurements with other published reports. Method We measured the flow distance of 33 prethickened water samples in centimeters (cm) using a line spread apparatus and a Bostwick Consistometer (Christison Particle Technologies). We selected a Zahn viscosity cup to measure the stream time of each prethickened liquid in seconds. Results The 2 distance-measuring devices (line spread and Bostwick Consistometer) showed that thinner (nectar-thick) modifications spread or flowed a farther distance in comparison to thicker (honey-like) modifications. Testing with the line spread indicated that an average sp...