Objectives: Since swallowing function changes with typical aging, it is important to elucidate
the geriatric swallowing characteristics. Some swallowing features in the elderly may
be related to geriatric diseases such as stroke, motor disorders, and dementia; in all of which
early detection of swallowing problems can play a critical role in both diagnosis and intervention
by utilizing a comprehensive evaluation tool. Therefore, the purpose of the study
was to establish the content validity of evaluation items of the swallowing assessment protocol,
which is under development. Methods: We trichotomized a total of 78 evaluation
items from the ubiquitous swallowing assessment tools into three domains: self-report of
swallowing function, self-report of swallowing-related quality-of-life, and clinical swallowing
assessment. Ten speech-language pathologists (age, 43.60±5.99 years; clinical experience
period, 15.00±6.63 years) responded to a 5-point Likert questionnaire to evaluate
the content validity of the items. Based on these results, each Content Validity Index (CVI)
was retrieved. The cut-off point of .75 was used as an indicator of items with good content
validity. Results: The number of the evaluation items with the CVI exceeding the cut-off
point of .75 were 66 in total, comprising 16 items regarding self-report of swallowing function,
22 of self-report regarding swallowing-related quality-of-life, and 18 regarding clinical
swallowing assessment. Conclusion: These items are expected to be utilized for assessing
the swallowing function of the community-dwelling elderly. By doing so, we may be able
to detect and monitor dysphagia-related symptoms, often leading to aspiration pneumonia,
weight loss, and/or elderly frailty.