This article covers assistive equipment and techniques related to conveying food to the mouth.
Straws can be used to avoid having to raise and tilt a cup of liquid to the mouth. However, the use of a straw requires activating a number of muscles that surround the mouth; this will put additional strain on them in comparison to drinking directly out of a cup.
Straws come in a variety of materials, each having their own advantages and disadvantages.
| Table: comparison of different straw materials | ||
|---|---|---|
| Straw Material | Benefits | Drawbacks |
| Metal |
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| Plastic |
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| Silicone |
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To use cutlery, effectively, a handcuff can be used. Note that a paralyzed thumb will tend to droop into the food unless tied to the index finger. Also, most cuffs allow the cutlery to stick right through them, which makes applying pressure with a fork difficult as it will usually slip instead.
If the bicep muscle on the same side as the working hand has weakened to the point where it is not able to lift food to the mouth, the plate or bowl can be elevated to be closer to the same height as the mouth. At the same time, it may be possible to raise the elbow to reduce the effect of gravity on the bicep, and direct it to the deltoid instead.