Using Fidget Toys To Reduce Patient Anxiety During FEES

By Karrie Kuecker, PhD SLP, Osborn Health and Rehabilitation, Scottsdale, AZ

Flexible Endoscopic Evaluation of Swallowing (FEES) is a valuable tool in the assessment and treatment of dysphagia. However, it is not uncommon for patients to experience anxiety before or during the procedure. Even with thorough education and reassurance, some patients continue to report uneasiness related to the nature of the exam, particularly due to the insertion of the endoscope and the unfamiliarity of the process.

In response to consistent reports of pre-assessment anxiety, a creative and patient-centered approach was developed to help ease this discomfort. After discussions with patients and several colleagues, it became clear that additional strategies were needed to help patients feel more comfortable.

Because FEES involves audio recordings to assess swallowing function, any anxiety-reducing intervention had to be silent. The solution came in the form of soft, squeezable fidget toys — specifically, squishy octopi and axolotls. These silent, tactile tools offered a soothing distraction, allowing patients to channel nervous energy through their hands without affecting the audio or video recording integrity of the FEES.

Patients who used the fidget toys during their assessments reported feeling more at ease. They noted that having something comforting and playful to hold helped lessen their anxiety and made the procedure more tolerable. The positive feedback has led to the routine inclusion of these fidgets in FEES evaluations, both within the facility and when providing FEES in other facilities.

This small but meaningful intervention has not only improved the patient experience but has also been embraced by staff, who recognize the value in reducing patient stress during procedures. In fact, the fidget toys have become a requested and recognizable feature of mobile FEES visits, with patients and staff alike asking, “Can you bring the octopus?”