Relationship between ease of swallowing and deglutition-related muscle activity in various postures

Comparison of sEMG activity of submental muscles between the head-lift exercise, tongue-press exercise and the head extension tongue-press exercise in healthy young adults

BACKGROUND

Swallowing is a complex function that requires precise coordination between different muscles. Weakness in submental muscles can lead to complications such as pharyngeal residue and aspiration. Therefore, exercise interventions targeting these muscles, such as the Head-Lift Exercise (HLE), are clinically important but pose challenges.

OBJECTIVE(S)

This study aimed to compare the myoelectric activity of submental muscles during traditional Head-Lift Exercise (HLE), Tongue-Press Exercise (TPE) and Head Extension Tongue-Press Exercise (HETPE), providing potential alternatives to HLE.

METHODS

Thirty healthy volunteers (22 females and 8 males, mean age 25.63 ± 5.27 years) participated in this cross-sectional study. Surface electromyography (sEMG) recorded activity of the submental muscles bilaterally during HLE, TPE and HETPE. Participants performed each manoeuvre for 14 s, repeated three times in a counterbalanced order. Statistical analyses assessed differences in mean, maximum and median frequency of the sEMG signals among manoeuvres using repeated-measures analysis of variance (RM-ANOVA). The experienced irritation levels by participants during manoeuvres were also compared by the Friedman test.

RESULTS

HETPE exhibited significantly higher maximum sEMG activity compared to HLE and TPE (p < .05). Mean sEMG activity was significantly increased during HETPE compared to TPE. Median frequency was significantly lower during HETPE compared to the two other exercises, indicating greater muscle fatigue. Participants reported similar levels of irritation for HLE and HETPE, and significantly lower levels during TPE.

CONCLUSION

These results indicate that HETPE is effective in activating and strengthening submental muscles, potentially serving as a viable alternative to HLE without added difficulty. Further research is recommended to assess the long-term impacts on swallowing physiology in patients with dysphagia.

The effect of craniocervical flexors endurance training on suprahyoid muscle activation in healthy adults: A randomised controlled trial

BACKGROUND

Cervical posture affects swallowing function through contractile and non-contractile structures. Craniocervical flexor endurance training (CCFET), which focuses on the activation of deep cervical muscles, is used to ensure cervical posture stability.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of CCFET on the suprahyoid muscles (SH), which play an important role in swallowing function.

METHODS

Eighty healthy individuals (52 female and 28 male, mean age 21.77 ± 1.81 years) were recruited and randomly assigned to groups that underwent either deep cervical flexor (DCF) training with a pressure biofeedback unit (CCFET group, n = 41) or no intervention (control group, n = 39). The intervention was applied for 4 weeks (five sessions per week). Static endurance and activation of DCF muscles (Craniocervical Flexion Test, CCFT), tragus-wall distance (TWD) for forward head posture and surface electromyographic (sEMG) activation of suprahyoid muscles were evaluated.

RESULTS

The endurance and activation of the DCF muscles were significantly increased in the CCFET group (p = <.001). In the CCFET group, TWD significantly lower than the control group (p = <.001) Peak SH amplitude and mean SH amplitude were lower in the CCFET group compared to the control group (p = .013, p = .003).

CONCLUSION

The study shows that 4 weeks of CCFET reduced SH muscle activation, allowing the same work to be done with fewer motor units. CCFET can be included in rehabilitation programs as an additional method that has an effect on the muscles involved in swallowing by providing cervical motor control.

Impacts of body positions on the geniohyoid muscle contraction and swallowing difficulty in healthy adults

BACKGROUND

Body positions affect swallowing and gastroesophageal reflux. Swallowing impairment is one of the main causes of aspiration pneumonia. To prevent pneumonia, evaluation of body positions on gastroesophageal reflux recommended 30 degrees or higher semi-recumbent positions. The geniohypoid muscle and tongue play central roles in swallowing. However, the effects of body positions on contracting rates in the geniohyoid muscle and tongue pressure are unclear. Moreover, correlations between geniohyoid muscle contracting rates and subjective swallowing difficulties are unclear.

AIMS

This study aimed to identify the proper body positions on contracting rates in the geniohyoid muscle, tongue pressure, and subjective swallowing difficulties.

MATERIALS & METHODS

Twenty healthy adults swallowed 15- or 50 ml of water at 90 degrees sitting, 60- and 30 degrees semi-recumbent, and 0 degrees supine positions. We scored the subjective swallowing difficulties and measured the tongue pressure and the number of swallows. An ultrasound evaluated the geniohyoid muscle size and contracting rates.

RESULTS

At sitting and 60 degrees semi-recumbent positions, the geniohyoid muscle showed greter contracting rates than at 30 degrees semi-recumbent and supine postions (P < 0.05), which resulted in easier swalloiwng. Greater tongue pressure was weakly correlated with fewer swallows (r = -0.339, P = 0.002), whereas the body positions did not affect.

CONCLUSION

Considering swallowing and gastroesophageal reflux together, a trunk angle of 60 degrees or more might be beneficial for reducing the risk of aspiration.

Effects of Craniocervical Flexion on Suprahyoid and Sternocleidomastoid Muscle Activation in Different Exercises

This study aims to investigate the effects of craniocervical flexion (CCF) on the activation of suprahyoid and sternocleidomastoid (SCM) muscles in Shaker and Resistant Jaw Opening (RJO) exercises, and to compare the effects of these two exercises on the same muscles with the Chin Tuck Against Resistance (CTAR) exercise. The study recruited a total of 37 healthy participants (20 female and 17 male, mean age: 27.45 ± 7.32 years). All participants received craniocervical flexion training with the biofeedback pressure unit (Stabilizer™, Chattanooga Group Inc. USA). Shaker, Shaker with CCF, RJO, RJO with CCF and CTAR exercises were performed and surface electromyographic (sEMG) activations of the suprahyoid and SCM muscles were recorded. In addition, the maximum sEMG activations of suprahyoid and SCM muscles were recorded for the normalization procedure. CCF increased the effect of Shaker exercise on the suprahyoid muscle activation (p < 0.001); but this effect was not seen in RJO exercise (p > 0.05). Suprahyoid muscle activation was lower in Shaker exercise compared to RJO and CTAR exercises (p < 0.016). SCM muscle activation was greater in CTAR exercise compared to Shaker and RJO exercises (p < 0.016). The addition of CCF to the Shaker and RJOE exercises did not affect the ranking among the three exercises for both the suprahyoid and SCM muscles. The result of this study suggest that integration of CCF movement to the Shaker exercise would have a greater therapeutic effect. In addition, RJO exercise can be included in the rehabilitation program as an alternate to CTAR exercise.

Conformable AlN Piezoelectric Sensors as a Non-invasive Approach for Swallowing Disorder Assessment

Deglutition disorders (dysphagia) are common symptoms of a large number of diseases and can lead to severe deterioration of the patient's quality of life. The clinical evaluation of this problem involves an invasive screening, whose results are subjective and do not provide a precise and quantitative assessment. To overcome these issues, alternative possibilities based on wearable technologies have been proposed. We explore the use of ultrathin, compliant, and flexible piezoelectric patches that are able to convert the laryngeal movement into a well-defined electrical signal, with extremely low anatomical obstruction and high strain resolution. The sensor is based on an aluminum nitride thin film, grown on a soft Kapton substrate, integrated with an electrical charge amplifier and low-power, wireless connection to a smartphone. An ad-hoc designed laryngeal motion simulator (LMS), which is able to mimic the motions of the laryngeal prominence, was used to evaluate its performances. The physiological deglutition waveforms were then extrapolated on a healthy volunteer and compared with the sEMG (surface electromyography) of the submental muscles. Finally, different tests were conducted to assess the ability of the sensor to provide clinically relevant information. The reliability of these features permits an unbiased evaluation of the swallowing ability, paving the way to the creation of a system that is able to provide a point-of-care automatic, unobtrusive, and real-time extrapolation of the patient's swallowing quality even during normal behavior.

Better Medicines for Older Patients: Considerations between Patient Characteristics and Solid Oral Dosage Form Designs to Improve Swallowing Experience

Oral drug administration provided as solid oral dosage forms (SODF) remains the major route of drug therapy in primary and secondary care. There is clear evidence for a growing number of clinically relevant swallowing issues (e.g., dysphagia) in the older patient population, especially when considering the multimorbid, frail, and polymedicated patients. Swallowing impairments have a negative impact on SODF administration, which leads to poor adherence and inappropriate alterations (e.g., crushing, splitting). Different strategies have been proposed over the years in order to enhance the swallowing experience with SODF, by using conventional administration techniques or applying swallowing aids and devices. Nevertheless, new formulation designs must be considered by implementing a patient centric approach in order to efficiently improve SODF administration by older patient populations. Together with appropriate SODF size reductions, innovative film coating materials that can be applied to SODF and provide swallowing safety and efficacy with little effort being required by the patients are still needed. With that in mind, a literature review was conducted in order to identify the availability of patient centric coating materials claiming to shorten esophageal transit times and improve the overall SODF swallowing experience for older patients. The majority of coating technologies were identified in patent applications, and they mainly included well-known water soluble polymers that are commonly applied into pharmaceutical coatings. Nevertheless, scientific evidence demonstrating the benefits of given SODF coating materials in the concerned patient populations are still very limited. Consequently, the availability for safe, effective, and clinically proven solutions to address the increasing prevalence of swallowing issues in the older patient population is still limited.

Relationship between tongue pressure and back muscle strength in healthy elderly individuals

BACKGROUND

Aging is associated with a decrease in muscle mass and strength in swallowing muscles, as well as in whole-body muscles. A decrease in tongue pressure (TP) is related with whole-body function, and the trunk, including abdominal and back muscles, forms the core of the body. However, the direct relationship between TP and trunk muscle strength remains unclear.

AIMS

To clarify the association between back muscle strength, an indicator of trunk muscle strength, and TP in healthy elderly individuals.

METHODS

In all, 112 healthy community-dwelling individuals aged ≥ 60 years (men: 35, median age 74.0; women: 77, median age 69.0) were included. Body mass index (BMI), TP, and back muscle strength (BMS) were measured. Tooth loss pattern was evaluated by the Eichner classification. Participants were divided into two groups based on the median of the BMS and classified into three groups based on the Eichner index (Eichner A, B, and C). The effects of BMS and occlusal support on TP were analyzed.

RESULTS

In the low BMS group, there was a significant difference in TP between the Eichner B and Eichner C (p = 0.017) groups. However, in the high BMS group, occlusal support did not affect TP. Moreover, the explanatory factors for TP were BMS (β = 0.373, p = 0.001) and the Eichner index (β = 0.190, p = 0.036).

CONCLUSIONS

TP was correlated more with BMS than aging and occlusal support in healthy elderly individuals. This study indicated that the clinical evaluation of the whole body is important when assessing oral and swallowing function.

Influence of the Craniocervical Posture on Tongue Strength and Endurance

Tongue strength has an important role in the swallowing process, and previous research has suggested that tongue position, concerning the craniomandibular region, could affect the oral function. This study aimed to evaluate the strength and endurance of three areas of the tongue in three experimentally induced craniocervical postures. A cross-sectional study with a nonprobabilistic sample of 37 participants (mean age: 3.85 ± 3.64 years; 20 men, 17 women) was performed. Tongue strength and endurance were assessed using a pressure device entitled Iowa Oral Performance Instrument (IOPI), in three different craniocervical positions: neutral head position (NHP), anterior head translation-or forward head position (FHP), and posterior head translation-or retracted head position (RHP). Measurements taken using the IOPI system showed significant differences in tongue strength for the anterior (p = 0.015) and middle areas of the tongue (p = 0.01). Significant differences were observed in analysis of variance (ANOVA) in the FHP (p = 0.02) and NHP (p = 0.009). The results of tongue endurance measurements showed statistically significant differences for FHP (p = 0.001), NHP (p = 0.00), and RHP (p = 0.007). The craniocervical position influences tongue strength, especially in the anterior and middle tongue areas, concerning the posterior, and, in the anterior and neutral head posture, regarding the retracted position. No differences were found in tongue resistance between the various craniocervical positions, but differences were found in resistance between the different tongue areas.

Influence of back support shape in wheelchairs offering pelvic support on asymmetrical sitting posture and pressure points during reaching tasks in stroke patients

Many poststroke hemiplegic patients have an asymmetrical wheelchair-sitting posture. This study aimed to investigate the impact of different back support shapes on asymmetrical sitting posture and pressure points among poststroke hemiplegic patients during an activities of daily living–related reaching task. This study included 23 poststroke hemiplegic patients who performed tasks that involved the movement of objects using the unaffected upper limb to the affected side while sitting in a conventional wheelchair (C-WC) with a flat back support or a wheelchair providing pelvic and thoracic support (P-WC). Body alignment angles from video images and pressure distribution on supporting surfaces were measured using a two-dimensional motion analysis software (Dartfish) and a pressure mapping system (FSA). Regarding movement performance, although postural asymmetry increased in both wheelchair types, the degree of postural variation was smaller with P-WC use than C-WC use (p < 0.05), with partly reduced postural asymmetry. With P-WC, one-sided ischial asymmetrical pressure was significantly less after the movement (p < 0.05). In conclusion, P-WC’s back support shape contributed to a decrease in postural asymmetry for pelvic girdle support both at rest and during movement. This highlights the importance of a wheelchair back support shape and may help to increase the quality of activities of daily living movement in poststroke hemiplegic patients in wheelchairs.

Effects of sitting posture and bolus volume on activation of swallowing-related muscles

BACKGROUND

The pharyngeal phase is a particularly important clinical factor related to swallowing dysfunctions. Head and neck posture, as well as bolus volume, are important factors affecting the pharyngeal stages of normal swallowing.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of our study was to identify the effects of sitting posture and bolus volume on the activation of swallowing-related muscles.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Twenty-four subjects participated in the study. The subjects were positioned in three sitting postures-slump sitting (SS), lumbo-pelvic upright sitting (LUS), and thoracic upright sitting (TUS). While sitting in the chair, the subject was instructed to swallow 10 and 20 mL of water. Surface electromyography (EMG) was used to measure the muscle activity of the supra-hyoid (SH) and infra-hyoid (IH) muscles. Also, sitting posture alignment (head, cervical and shoulder angle) was also performed. Data were analysed with a repeated measures analysis of variance (RMANOVA) using a generalised linear model.

RESULTS

There was no significant difference in terms of the head angle (P = .395). However, significant differences were found in relation to the cervical angle (P < .001) and shoulder angle (P < .001). The TUS produced the lowest SH EMG activity (P = .001), in comparison to SS and LUS. The bolus volume for 20 mL showed greater SH and IH EMG activity (P < .001) than did the bolus volume for 10 mL.

CONCLUSIONS

Correcting sitting posture from SS to TUS may better assist swallowing-related muscles with less effort, irrespective of the bolus volume.

Mandibular advancement impairs swallowing ability more than head extension but less than mouth opening in the supine position

Mandibular advancement in the supine position may influence swallowing during dental treatment under intravenous sedation. This study investigated the influence of mandibular advancement in the supine position on swallowing ability, compared with head extension and mouth opening. The water swallowing test was performed in 13 healthy, awake, supine, adult subjects under four head and mandibular positions. An electromyogram of the suprahyoid muscles was recorded; the duration and peak amplitude were examined. A greater volume of water remained in the mouth during mouth opening and mandibular advancement relative to the neutral position; the volume in the mandibular advancement position was larger and smaller than that in the head extension position and during mouth opening, respectively. The duration of the electromyogram in the head extension position was longer than that in the mandibular advancement position, without differences in the amplitude. Thus, swallowing ability in the supine position was more impaired with mandibular advancement, relative to neutral and head extension positions, but less than that observed with mouth opening. Although unconfirmed by electromyogram, our findings suggest that head extension might improve airway patency by reducing the impairment of swallowing ability compared with mandibular advancement.

Effects of chin-up posture on the sequence of swallowing events

BACKGROUND

Chin-up posture is frequently used to manage oral dysphagia after head and neck cancer. This prospective study investigates the effects of chin-ups on the sequence of pharyngeal swallowing events.

METHODS

Twelve healthy young adults performed 45 consecutive swallows of 5 mL water across 3 phases on videofluoroscopy: 5 swallows in the neutral head position; 30 swallows during chin-up posture; and 10 swallows in the neutral head position. Swallowing kinematic and bolus flow measures for 9 swallowing events were recorded. Linear trends were analyzed across 30 chin-up swallows; pairwise comparison was used to compare the 3 phases.

RESULTS

Time to hyoid peak and laryngeal vestibule closure changed abruptly during chin-up swallowing compared to the initial neutral position. No measure changed across 30 chin-up swallows. Time of hyoid burst decreased upon returning to the neutral position.

CONCLUSION

Our findings indicate that chin-up posture challenges the pharyngeal sequence of events for both swallowing kinematics and bolus flow. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck 39: 947-959, 2017.

A Pilot Study of the Head Extension Swallowing Exercise: New Method for Strengthening Swallowing-Related Muscle Activity

This pilot study examined the effect of a new head extension swallowing exercise (HESE) on submental muscle activity and tongue strength in healthy volunteers. Fifteen young adults (10 females and 5 males) were instructed to extend their head backwards as much as possible, and while watching the ceiling, swallowed their saliva every 10 s for a duration of 20 min. Twenty-four treatments were performed over 8 weeks. The outcome variables evaluated at baseline, 4 and 8 weeks of training, and 12-week follow-up included mean and peak submental muscle activation amplitudes during normal and effortful swallowing measured via surface electromyography, and anterior and posterior isometric tongue pressures were measured with the Iowa Oral Performance Instrument. Results indicated that the muscle activation amplitudes during effortful swallowing increased significantly at 4 and 8 weeks compared to baseline (p < 0.025). However, the increases in amplitudes during normal swallowing were minor (nonsignificant) after 8 weeks compared to baseline. The isometric pressures of the tongue tip and the posterior part of the oral tongue were significantly higher at 8 weeks compared to baseline (p < 0.025). Thus, the 8-week HESE protocol significantly improved suprahyoid muscle activity during effortful swallowing as well as the isometric tongue pressures. The HESE appears effective in exercising and strengthening the suprahyoid muscles and tongue muscles in healthy participants. Although encouraging, these results need to be replicated in clinical trials for testing the therapeutic effects of the HESE in older adults and patients with dysphagia who present with decreased hyolaryngeal elevation.

Effects of tongue-hold swallows on suprahyoid muscle activation according to the relative tongue protrusion length: a preliminary study

Tongue-hold swallow (THS) is a therapeutic maneuver used to increase the posterior pharyngeal wall motion during swallowing. This maneuver has also been reported to result in increased activation of the suprahyoid muscles. The hypothesis of this study was that the degree of suprahyoid muscle activation would depend on the tongue protrusion-length. The aim of this study was to investigate the activation levels of the suprahyoid muscles by surface electromyography (sEMG) while performing the THS maneuver at three tongue-protrusion lengths. Suprahyoid muscle activity during THSs was recorded in 25 adult volunteers (17 women and 8 men; age range 20-38 years). To record the activity of the suprahyoid muscles while the participants performed the maneuver, surface wireless EMG electrodes separated by a distance of 1 cm were placed on the skin on both sides of the midline under the chin. Each activity was recorded three times. Data analysis was performed by repeated-measures analysis of variance. Our results revealed that participants exhibited greater electrical activity during THS with 2/3rd or maximal tongue protrusion as compared to THS with 1/3rd tongue protrusion (p ≤ 0.001). To maximize the therapeutic effect of the THS maneuver, it is advised to protrude the tongue maximally as long as swallowing is possible.

Does a Novel-Developed Product of Wheelchair Incorporating Pelvic Support Prevent Forward Head Posture during Prolonged Sitting?

Disabled elderly individuals with kyphosis or loss of muscle strength often display forward head posture (FHP). This study aimed to determine the utility of a wheelchair incorporating pelvic support in preventing FHP in disabled elderly individuals. In this study, 14 disabled elderly individuals (87.1 ± 8.1 years) were selected. A wheelchair incorporating pelvic support (RX_ABS Lo) and a basic wheelchair (RX-1) were used. Each individual sat on both wheelchairs for 30 minutes. RX_ABS Lo has two belts to support the pelvic and thorax. Postures were recorded in the sagittal plane using a video camera. Cervical and trunk angles from horizontal were measured every 5 minutes. Simultaneously, contact areas and total pressures applied to the wheelchair seats and back supports were measured every 5 minutes. Comparisons of area under the curve values between the wheelchairs were performed using the paired t-test. Comparisons of time-dependent parameters for each wheelchair were performed using repeated one-way ANOVA. Cervical angles were greater when using RX_ABS Lo than RX-1. Although cervical angles were unchanged during 30 minutes when using RX_ABS Lo, the angles were significantly decreased after 30 minutes of using RX-1. Back support pressures and contact areas were greater for RX_ABS Lo than for RX-1. No significant difference in back support pressure distributions was observed during 30 minutes in the wheelchairs. The RX_ABS Lo may have utility in improving FHP by increasing cervical angles and improving stability with a back support to the upper thorax, lower thorax, and pelvis during prolonged sitting.

Compensatory Mechanisms in Patients After a Partial or Total Glossectomy due to Oral Cancer

Excision of a part or the whole of tongue due to oral cancer disturbs swallowing and speech. Lower airways aspiration of the swallowed bolus in patients after such oral structures excision is a symptom of major swallowing disorder and may be the cause of aspiration pneumonia. Restoration of oral nutrition is possible after exclusion or reduction of aspiration threat in the patients. Video fluoroscopic evaluation of the swallowing performed at the beginning of the swallowing rehabilitation in 95 patients after a total or partial glossectomy due to oral cancer, who assessed their saliva swallowing as efficient on the day of examination, showed disturbances of all of the swallowing stages. The most common disturbances involved the oral stage: limited mobility of the oral tongue, impaired glossopalatal seal, and weak glossopharyngeal seal. The most serious among them involved pharyngeal stage of swallowing, as leakage into the larynx and aspiration. The patients used their own methods during barium suspension swallowing to facilitate the swallowing act. They used such methods as: changing the position of the head to the body, additional swallows, engaging the adjacent structures into sealing the oral fissure. We assumed that the compensatory mechanisms (CM) worked out by the patients before the swallowing examination will enable them efficient barium suspension swallowing. The CM were applied by 71 of 95 patients; 51 of the patients used more than one compensatory mechanism. Swallowing in 61 of the compensating patients was at least functional; swallowing in 10 of the compensating patients was non-efficient and caused recurrent aspiration. The results of our research negate the validity of multiple swallows (more than three) without apnea elongation because it may lead to aspiration. Aspiration was also recorded in patients with weak airways closure and immovable epiglottis, who complemented the impaired oral transport with gravitational oral transport by moving chin up during a swallow. The hypothesis that CM applied by the patients after oral cancer excision during saliva swallowing will be helpful in swallowing of the barium suspension was not proved. In 10 of all the patients recurring aspiration was found despite CM application. Determination of aspiration risk is the key to efficient swallowing rehabilitation. The assessment of CM applied spontaneously by the patients' maintenance validity is particularly important. Video fluoroscopic examination of swallowing allows to assess the aforementioned issue and is crucial for better comprehension of CM applied by the patients in creating a new swallowing pattern after oral cancer excision.

The Recline Exercise: Comparisons with the Head Lift Exercise in Healthy Adults

The aim of this investigation was to examine the comparative effectiveness of the new Recline Exercise (RE) and the traditional Head Lift Exercise (Shaker Exercise) on submental muscle activity, tongue strength, and perceived exertion in 40 healthy young adults (mean age = 24.5 years, SD 2.6 years). Both groups participated in a 6-week exercise regimen. Outcome variables evaluated pre- and post-exercise included: duration and peak amplitude of submental muscle activity during swallowing measured via surface electromyography (sEMG); anterior and posterior isometric lingual pressures measured with the Iowa Oral Performance Instrument; and perceived exertion levels measured with the Borg category-ratio scale of perceived exertion. Results indicated no significant pre-post differences within or between groups in swallow duration and peak amplitude. In addition, the RE group demonstrated significant post-treatment increases in anterior and posterior tongue strength [p = 0.009; p < 0.001]; however, these increases were of small magnitude (d = 0.132; d = 0.319). Both groups showed marked improvements in perceived exertion levels [p < 0.001]. Our findings indicate that healthy young adults who perform the RE or the HLE do not have significant swallow duration or amplitude gains, most likely due to the reduced need for such gains in the healthy head/neck musculature for submaximal tasks. Furthermore, the significant lingual strength gains seen with the RE indicate that additional musculature is being engaged during its completion. These results are encouraging; however, future research in older adults and patients with dysphagia with examination of swallowing biomechanics is needed to determine its full potential as a rehabilitative regimen.

Patient-centred pharmaceutical design to improve acceptability of medicines: similarities and differences in paediatric and geriatric populations

Patient acceptability of a medicinal product is a key aspect in the development and prescribing of medicines. Children and older adults differ in many aspects from the other age subsets of population and require particular considerations in medication acceptability. This review highlights the similarities and differences in these two age groups in relation to factors affecting acceptability of medicines. New and conventional formulations of medicines are considered regarding their appropriateness for use in children and older people. Aspects of a formulation that impact acceptability in these patient groups are discussed, including, for example, taste/smell/viscosity of a liquid and size/shape of a tablet. A better understanding of the acceptability of existing formulations highlights opportunities for the development of new and more acceptable medicines and facilitates safe and effective prescribing for the young and older populations.

Electrophysiological Investigations of Shape and Reproducibility of Oropharyngeal Swallowing: Interaction with Bolus Volume and Age

Electrophysiological assessment provides valuable information on physiological and pathophysiological characteristics of human swallowing. Here, new electrophysiological measures for the evaluation of oropharyngeal swallowing were assessed: (1) the activation pattern of the submental/suprahyoid EMG activity (SHEMG); (2) the reproducibility of the oral and pharyngeal phases of swallowing, by calculating the similarity index (SI) of the SHEMG (SI-SHEMG) and of the laryngeal-pharyngeal mechanogram (SI-LPM) during repeated swallows; and (3) kinesiological measures related to the LPM. An electrophysiological-mechanical method for measuring the activation pattern of the SHEMG, the SI-SHEMG, and the SI-LPM, and maximal LPM velocity and acceleration during swallowing was applied in 65 healthy subjects divided into three age groups (18-39, 40-59, 60 years or over). All the measures were assessed during three trials of eight consecutive swallows of different liquid bolus volumes (3, 12, and 20 ml). A high overall reproducibility of oropharyngeal swallowing in healthy humans was recorded. However, while values of SI-SHEMG were similar in all the age groups, the SI-LPM was found to fall significantly in the older age group. Both the SI-SHEMG and the SI-LPM were found to fall with increasing bolus volumes. The activation pattern of the SHEMG and the LPM kinesiological measures were differently modified by bolus volume and age in the older subjects with respect to the others. We describe a new approach to the electrophysiological study of swallowing based on computed semi-automatic analyses. Our findings provide insight into some previously uninvestigated aspects of oropharyngeal swallowing physiology, considered in relation to bolus volume and age. The new electrophysiological measures here described could prove useful in the clinical setting, as it is likely that they could be differently affected in patients with different kinds of dysphagia.

[Effect of body position on coordination of breathing and swallowing]

BACKGROUND

To allow passage of food, the swallowing process closes off the larynx and interrupts respiratory flow. Both the timing of the interruption of respiratory flow and the body position can affect the results of the swallowing process.

OBJECTIVE

The effect of body position on the swallowing process and the coordination of breathing and swallowing is investigated.

MATERIALS AND METHOD

A combined EMG/bioimpedance measurement system and a piezoelectric sensor were used to investigate coordination of breathing and swallowing of a range of food consistencies in three different body positions (90°, 45° and 0°) in healthy subjects.

RESULTS

Investigations were carried out on 21 healthy subjects (12 ♂, 9 ♀). 762 swallows were recorded. Changing body position was found to have a statistically significant effect on swallow-related parameters (maximum laryngeal elevation and speed of laryngeal elevation) and breathing pattern (pre- and post-swallow breathing phases). The laryngeal elevation as well as the speed of the laryngeal elevation is influenced significantly by the consistency to be swallowed. The breathing pattern changes from saliva to solid food of inspiration/swallow/inspiration to expiration/swallow/expiration. A change of body position influences the parameters specific for swallowing and the breathing patterns significantly.

CONCLUSIONS

This study demonstrates that body position affects coordination of breathing and swallowing and swallow-related parameters in healthy subjects. Our results indicate that patients should be enabled to adopt a position in which they are sitting at an angle of at least 45°.

Two techniques to make swallowing pills easier

To evaluate whether 2 techniques (the pop-bottle method for tablets and the lean-forward technique for capsules) ease swallowing of tablets and capsules, we conducted a cross-sectional study including 151 adults of the general German population. Participants swallowed 16 differently shaped placebos, rated their ease of swallowing on an 8-point Likert scale, and swallowed the 2 dosage forms that they had rated most difficult again using the appropriate technique. The pop-bottle method substantially improved swallowing of tablets in 59.7% (169/283) and the lean-forward technique for capsules in 88.6% (31/35). Both techniques were remarkably effective in participants with and without reported difficulties swallowing pills and should be recommended regularly.