Effect of IQoro(R) training in hiatal hernia patients with misdirected swallowing and esophageal retention symptoms

Effects of oral screen exercise on orofacial and pharyngeal activity: An exploratory study using videofluoroscopy and surface electromyography in healthy adults

Objective

The oral screen is a device commonly used for treatment of orofacial disorders. The objective of this exploratory study was to examine the effect of oral screen exercise on the muscle activity in the lips, submental complex, masseter muscle, and kinematic activity of the tongue base, soft palate, pharynx, and larynx in healthy adults. This was compared with the kinematic activity during a dry swallow. It was hypothesized that not only the lip musculature but also other structures in the oral and pharyngeal cavities are activated while using an oral screen device.

Method

Ten healthy subjects used an oral screen during examination with videofluoroscopy and surface electromyography (EMG). Three different instructions for oral screen application and a dry swallow were examined.

Results

The lip muscles showed the highest activity during oral screen exercise. The other muscle groups were activated to a lesser degree. The pattern of activation differed between individuals. Compared with a dry swallow, the range of motion of the tongue base, posterior pharyngeal wall, and the larynx was significantly smaller during oral screen activation. No major differences were found between three different instructions.

Conclusion

This study indicates that the lips and submental complex and, to a lesser degree, oral, pharyngeal, and laryngeal structures are activated with the oral screen, but the pattern of activation varied between individuals. In comparison to the activity during a dry swallow, range of motion during oral screen exercise is small.

Oral neuromuscular training relieves hernia-related dysphagia and GERD symptoms as effectively in obese as in non-obese patients

BACKGROUND

Many physicians insist patients lose weight before their hiatal hernia (HH) condition and related symptoms including intermittent esophageal dysphagia (IED) and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) can be treated, but it is not proven that body mass index (BMI) has an impact on exercise-based treatment of HH-related symptoms.

AIMS/OBJECTIVES

To investigate whether BMI has significance on IQoro® neuromuscular training (IQNT) effectiveness in treating HH-related symptoms.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Eighty-six patients with sliding HH and enduring IED and GERD symptoms, despite proton pump inhibitor medication, were consecutively referred for 6 months' IQNT comprising 11/2 minutes daily. They were grouped by BMI which was recorded before and after IQNT, as were their symptoms of IED, reflux, heartburn, chest pain, globus sensation, non-productive cough, hoarseness, and misdirected swallowing. They were also assessed on food swallowing ability, water swallowing capacity and lip force both before and after treatment.

RESULTS

After IQNT, all BMI groups showed significant improvement (p < .001) of all assessments' and symptoms; and heartburn, cough and misdirected swallowing were significantly more reduced in the severely obese.

CONCLUSIONS AND SIGNIFICANCE

IQNT can treat HH-related IED and GERD symptoms as successfully in moderately or severely obese patients as in those with normal bodyweight.

Effect of IQoro® training on impaired postural control and oropharyngeal motor function in patients with dysphagia after stroke

Conclusion All patients with dysphagia after stroke have impaired postural control. IQoro® screen (IQS) training gives a significant and lasting improvement of postural control running parallel with significant improvement of oropharyngeal motor dysfunction (OPMD). Objectives The present investigation aimed at studying the frequency of impaired postural control in patients with stroke-related dysphagia and if IQS training has any effect on impaired postural control in parallel with effect on OPMD. Method A prospective clinical study was carried out with 26 adult patients with stroke-related dysphagia. The training effect was compared between patients consecutively investigated at two different time periods, the first period with 15 patients included in the study more than half a year after stroke, the second period with 11 patients included within 1 month after stroke. Postural control tests and different oropharyngeal motor tests were performed before and after 3 months of oropharyngeal sensorimotor training with an IQS, and at a late follow-up (median 59 weeks after end of training). Result All patients had impaired postural control at baseline. Significant improvement in postural control and OPMD was observed after the completion of IQS training in both intervention groups. The improvements were still present at the late follow-up.