71 4 relatively high SEM% and SDC% value. We therefore recommend especially using the parameter number of swallows in future research, instead of the derivatives swallowing volume, swallowing capacity, and swallowing speed. The SEM and SEM% values can be used to indicate the expected random variation in WST outcomes at any given time point before and after treatment for HNC. The SDC and SDC% can be used to describe minimal changes needed between measurements over time in order to be clinically significant.22 In conclusion, this study displays a good to excellent reliability of the WST for the parameters number of swallows, duration, swallowing volume, swallowing capacity, and swallowing speed for both patients with HNC, and moderate to excellent reliability for healthy subjects. We recommend especially using the parameter number of swallows in future research, because this parameter showed an excellent reliability and displayed the smallest SEM% and SDC%. Based on the results found in this study, we expect the results of the WST to be of good reliability, and therefore reliable conclusions can be made in future research using the WST.
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