This study examined the effects of swallow task on swallow physiology, respiratory phase relationships, and oxygen saturation in healthy adult males. This study hoped to provide a building block to clinically relevant research with individuals with compromised swallowing and respiration. Subjects included 40 healthy adult males with no history of swallowing disorders divided into four groups (20-30, 40-50, 60-70, and 80-90 years). Subjects submitted to a videofluoroscopic swallow study protocol of 27 swallows grouped into two tasks: (1) three single swallows of thin liquid barium and (2) three repetitions of eight consecutive, uninterrupted swallows of thin liquid barium. Order of the tasks were counterbalanced and randomly assigned. The videofluorographic swallow study allowed for computation of durational measures for laryngeal elevation and closure. Use of respiratory inductive plethysmography allowed for analysis of the interruption and resumption of the respiratory cycle. Pulse oximetry allowed for assessment of oxygen saturation across the duration of the protocol. Multiple repeated measures ANOVAs were completed and yielded the following statistically significant results: (1) a main effect of swallow task on duration of laryngeal elevation and closure, whereby durations are greater during consecutive swallows as compared to single bolus swallows, (2) a main effect of age on duration of both laryngeal elevation and closure, whereby elevation and closure measures increased across the age groups, and (3) an interaction of age and swallow task on the durational increase in laryngeal elevation and closure, whereby increases were greater for older men (80-90) as compared to young (20-30) and middle aged (40-50) men. An increased tendency toward resumption of inspiration following consecutive swallows as compared to single swallows in healthy adult males across the age continuum was observed. Age had no impact on healthy adult males' propensities to return to inspiration following consecutive swallows or abilities to maintain stable oxygen saturation levels during the swallowing protocol. Although the swallowing mechanism exhibited age related and task related fluctuations, overall swallow function and respiratory homeostasis remained uncompromised. The question remains if individuals with compromised swallowing or pulmonary function would demonstrate the same abilities.

Last modified

• 08/31/2018

Creator

• Stacy Kaplan

DOI

• https://doi.org/10.21985/N2XF0C

Subject

• Communication Sciences and Disorders - Speech and Language Pathology

Keyword

• respiratory physiology
• swallow physiology
• human development
• dysphagia

Date created

• 2007-12-18

Resource type

• Dissertation

Rights statement

• In Copyright