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Barikroo A, Zinser A. Impact of Varying Transcutaneous Electrical Stimulation Pulse Frequency on Swallow Timing Measures in Healthy Adults. Dysphagia 2024; 39:140-149. [PMID: 37436448 DOI: 10.1007/s00455-023-10601-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2023] [Accepted: 06/21/2023] [Indexed: 07/13/2023]
Abstract
The impaired swallow timing subsequent to dysphagia or aging can potentially endanger swallowing safety and efficiency. Preliminary evidence has suggested that transcutaneous electrical stimulation (TES) may have the potential to affect swallow timing. However, limited knowledge exists regarding which TES parameters can optimize swallow timing. Pulse frequency is one of the primary TES parameters that can affect the quality of muscle contraction. Yet, no clear information exists regarding how changing pulse frequency impacts the timing of swallowing events. This study aimed to investigate the varying effects of submental TES pulse frequency on swallowing events during and post-15-min TES administration. Twenty-six healthy individuals between the ages of 20 and 54 participated in this study and were assigned to high pulse frequency (HPF) (80 Hz) or low pulse frequency (LPF) (30 Hz) groups. Videofluoroscopic swallowing study (VFSS) was used to record swallowing. Three trials of 10 mL pureed mixed with barium sulfate were presented under three different conditions, including pre-TES, during TES, and post-TES, in which measures were taken following 15 min of TES delivery. The swallow timing events that were measured in each condition were time to maximum hyoid elevation, time to maximum laryngeal elevation, laryngeal vestibule closure reaction time (LVCrt), laryngeal vestibule closure duration (LVCd), time to maximum pharyngeal constriction, and pharyngoesophageal segment (PES) opening duration. No significant pulse frequency effect was found on any swallow timing measures during or after 15 min of TES. Both protocols decreased the duration of some swallowing events during TES including time to maximum hyoid elevation [p < 0.017, ηp2 = 0.185], LVCrt [p < 0.032, ηp2 = 0.158], and time to maximum pharyngeal constriction [p < 0.034, ηp2 = 0.155]. None of the significant TES effects were continued when TES ceased after 15 min. Overall, both protocols have comparable immediate effects on shortening the duration of some swallowing events during TES. Future clinical trials should examine whether these physiologic timing changes can lead to safer and more efficient swallows in patients with dysphagia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ali Barikroo
- Swallowing Physiology & Rehabilitation Research Laboratory, Speech Pathology and Audiology Program, School of Health Sciences, Kent State University, PO Box 5190, Kent, OH, 44242-0001, USA.
| | - Alyssa Zinser
- Swallowing Physiology & Rehabilitation Research Laboratory, Speech Pathology and Audiology Program, School of Health Sciences, Kent State University, PO Box 5190, Kent, OH, 44242-0001, USA
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Valenzano TJ, Smaoui S, Peladeau-Pigeon M, Barbon CEA, Craven BC, Steele CM. Using Reference Values to Identify Profiles of Swallowing Impairment in a Case Series of Individuals With Traumatic Spinal Cord Injury. AMERICAN JOURNAL OF SPEECH-LANGUAGE PATHOLOGY 2023; 32:688-700. [PMID: 36812476 PMCID: PMC10171848 DOI: 10.1044/2022_ajslp-22-00298] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2022] [Revised: 11/28/2022] [Accepted: 12/09/2022] [Indexed: 05/12/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE In this article, we illustrate use of a systematic approach to rating videofluoroscopic swallowing studies (VFSS), the Analysis of Swallowing Physiology: Events, Kinematics and Timing (ASPEKT) method. The method is applied to a clinical case series of individuals with a history of traumatic spinal cord injury (tSCI) requiring surgical intervention using a posterior approach. Previous studies suggest that swallowing is highly variable in this population given heterogeneity in mechanisms, location and extent of injury, and in surgical management approaches. METHOD The case series involved 6 individuals who were at least 1 month postsurgery for management of tSCI. Participants completed a VFSS using a standardized bolus protocol. Each VFSS was blindly rated in duplicate using the ASPEKT method and compared with published reference values. RESULTS The analysis revealed considerable heterogeneity across this clinical sample. Penetration-aspiration scale scores of 3 or higher were not observed in this cohort. Of note, patterns of impairment did emerge, suggesting there are some commonalities across profiles in this population, including the presence of residue associated with poor pharyngeal constriction, reduced upper esophageal opening diameter, and short upper esophageal sphincter opening duration. CONCLUSIONS Although the participants in this clinical sample shared a history of tSCI requiring surgical intervention using a posterior approach, there was great heterogeneity in swallowing profile. Using a systematic method to identify atypical swallowing parameters can guide clinical decision making for determining rehabilitative targets and measuring swallowing outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Teresa J. Valenzano
- KITE Research Institute, Toronto Rehabilitation Institute – University Health Network, Ontario, Canada
- Rehabilitation Sciences Institute, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Canada
- Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute, St. Michael's Hospital, Unity Health Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Speech-Language Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Sana Smaoui
- KITE Research Institute, Toronto Rehabilitation Institute – University Health Network, Ontario, Canada
- Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute, St. Michael's Hospital, Unity Health Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Melanie Peladeau-Pigeon
- KITE Research Institute, Toronto Rehabilitation Institute – University Health Network, Ontario, Canada
| | - Carly E. A. Barbon
- KITE Research Institute, Toronto Rehabilitation Institute – University Health Network, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Head and Neck Surgery, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston
| | - B. Cathy Craven
- KITE Research Institute, Toronto Rehabilitation Institute – University Health Network, Ontario, Canada
- Rehabilitation Sciences Institute, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Canada
- Institute of Health Policy, Management and Evaluation, University of Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Division of Physiatry, Department of Medicine, University of Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Catriona M. Steele
- KITE Research Institute, Toronto Rehabilitation Institute – University Health Network, Ontario, Canada
- Rehabilitation Sciences Institute, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Canada
- Canada Research Chair (Tier 1) in Swallowing and Food Oral Processing
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McRae J, Morgan S, Wallace E, Miles A. Oropharyngeal Dysphagia in Acute Cervical Spinal Cord Injury: A Literature Review. Dysphagia 2022:10.1007/s00455-022-10535-0. [DOI: 10.1007/s00455-022-10535-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2022] [Accepted: 10/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
AbstractDysphagia (swallowing impairment) is a frequent complication of cervical spinal cord injury (cSCI). Recently published national guidance in the UK on rehabilitation after traumatic injury confirmed that people with cSCI are at risk for dysphagia and require early evaluation while remaining nil by mouth [National Institute for Health and Care Excellence. Rehabilitation after traumatic injury (NG211), 2022, https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng21]. While the pathogenesis and pathophysiology of dysphagia in cSCI remains unclear, numerous risk factors have been identified in the literature. This review aims to summarize the literature on the risk factors, presentation, assessment, and management of dysphagia in patients with cSCI. A bespoke approach to dysphagia management, that accounts for the multiple system impairment in cSCI, is presented; the overarching aim of which is to support effective management of dysphagia in patients with cSCI to prevent adverse clinical consequences.
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Pitts L, Hamilton VK, Walaszek EA, Watts S, Cherney LR. Voluntary Cough Testing as a Clinical Indicator of Airway Protection in Cervical Spinal Cord Injury. Laryngoscope 2022; 133:1434-1441. [PMID: 36062957 DOI: 10.1002/lary.30369] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2022] [Revised: 08/09/2022] [Accepted: 08/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Voluntary cough testing (VCT) may be useful for determining aspiration risk in neurogenic dysphagia; however, has yet to be investigated in traumatic cervical spinal cord injury (tCSCI). The study explored if VCT may elucidate swallowing safety and kinematics related to airway protection in tCSCI survivors. METHODS Ten inpatients, 13-73 days post-tCSCI (7 incomplete injuries), completed VCT and a modified barium swallowing study that was analyzed via the Penetration Aspiration Scale (PAS) and norm-referenced measures of swallowing events related to airway protection. Spearman rho correlations explored relations among cough airflow, median PAS, and airway protection. Mann-Whitney U tests explored group differences based on clinical airway invasion (PAS > 2) and receiver operating characteristic statistics probed the sensitivity/specificity of VCT measures. RESULTS Safe (PAS > 2) and unsafe swallowers differed by cough volume acceleration (CVA) for the total sample and by inspiratory duration for incomplete injuries (p = 0.03, r > 0.7). A cut-off value of 24.8 L/s for CVA predicted airway invasion (AUC = 0.917, p = 0.03) with sensitivity = 100%/specificity = 75%. CVA correlated with delayed laryngeal vestibule closure during swallowing for both the total sample and for incomplete injuries (rs > 0.6, p < 0.05). Blunted peak flow and prolonged cough phases were associated with disordered laryngeal kinematics and prolonged bolus transit during swallowing (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS Reduced CVA, blunted peak flow, and prolonged cough phases reflected PAS and disrupted mechanisms of airway protection in tCSCI survivors, demonstrating promise for VCT as a clinical assessment for post-tCSCI dysphagia. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE 3 Laryngoscope, 2022.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Pitts
- Think+Speak Lab, Shirley Ryan AbilityLab, Chicago, Illinois, U.S.A.,Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Feinberg School of Medicine Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois, U.S.A.,Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders, University of Northern Iowa, Cedar Falls, Iowa, U.S.A
| | | | - Erin A Walaszek
- Strength and Endurance Lab, Spinal Cord Injury Program, Shirley Ryan AbilityLab, Chicago, Illinois, U.S.A
| | - Stephanie Watts
- Department of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Morsani College of Medicine, University of South Florida, Tampa, Florida, U.S.A
| | - Leora R Cherney
- Think+Speak Lab, Shirley Ryan AbilityLab, Chicago, Illinois, U.S.A.,Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Feinberg School of Medicine Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois, U.S.A
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Pitts T, Iceman KE, Huff A, Musselwhite MN, Frazure ML, Young KC, Greene CL, Howland DR. Laryngeal and swallow dysregulation following acute cervical spinal cord injury. J Neurophysiol 2022; 128:405-417. [PMID: 35830612 PMCID: PMC9359645 DOI: 10.1152/jn.00469.2021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Laryngeal function is vital to airway protection. While swallow is mediated by the brainstem, mechanisms underlying increased risk of dysphagia after cervical spinal cord injury (SCI) are unknown. We hypothesized that loss of descending phrenic drive affects swallow and breathing differently, and loss of ascending spinal afferent information alters swallow regulation. We recorded electromyograms from upper airway and chest wall muscles in freely breathing pentobarbital-anesthetized cats and rats. Inspiratory laryngeal activity increased ~two-fold following C2 lateral-hemisection. Ipsilateral to the injury, crural diaphragm EMG amplitude was reduced during breathing (62 ± 25% change post-injury), but no animal had complete termination of activity; 75% of animals increased contralateral diaphragm recruitment, but this did not reach significance. During swallow, laryngeal adductor and pharyngeal constrictor muscles increased activity, and diaphragm activity was bilaterally suppressed. This was unexpected because of the ipsilateral-specific response during breathing. Swallow-breathing coordination was also disrupted and more swallows occurred during early expiration. Finally, to determine if the chest wall is a major source of feedback for laryngeal regulation, we performed T1 total transections in rats. As in the C2 lateral-hemisection, inspiratory laryngeal recruitment was the first feature noted. In contrast to the C2 lateral-hemisection, diaphragmatic drive increased after T1 transection. Overall, we found that SCI alters laryngeal drive during swallow and breathing, and reduced swallow-related diaphragm activity. Our results show behavior-specific effects, suggesting SCI affects swallow more than breathing, and emphasizes the need for additional studies on the effects of ascending afferents from the spinal cord on laryngeal function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Teresa Pitts
- Kentucky Spinal Cord Injury Center, Department of Neurological Surgery, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY, United States
| | - Kimberly E Iceman
- Kentucky Spinal Cord Injury Center, Department of Neurological Surgery, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY, United States
| | - Alyssa Huff
- Center for Integrative Brain Research, Seattle Children's Hospital, Seattle, WA, United States
| | - Matthew Nicholas Musselwhite
- Kentucky Spinal Cord Injury Center, Department of Neurological Surgery, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY, United States
| | - Michael L Frazure
- Kentucky Spinal Cord Injury Center, Department of Neurological Surgery, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY, United States
| | - Kellyanna C Young
- Kentucky Spinal Cord Injury Center, Department of Neurological Surgery, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY, United States
| | - Clinton L Greene
- Kentucky Spinal Cord Injury Center, Department of Neurological Surgery, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY, United States
| | - Dena Ruth Howland
- Kentucky Spinal Cord Injury Center, Department of Neurological Surgery, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY, United States.,Research Service, Robley Rex VA Medical Center, Louisville, KY, United States
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