Submental surface electromyographic measurement and pharyngeal pressures during normal and effortful swallowing.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the influence of 2 swallowing maneuvers on anterior suprahyoid surface electromyographic measurement and pharyngeal manometric pressure.


METHODS
Correlational analysis of biomechanic measures of swallowing.


METHODS
Research laboratory in a community hospital.


METHODS
A consecutive volunteer sample of 22 healthy subjects (mean, 29.7y).


METHODS
Not applicable.


METHODS
Peak amplitude of submental surface electromyographic and pharyngeal manometric pressure at 3 locations.


RESULTS
Effortful swallow generated greater pharyngeal pressure than normal swallow at the 2 proximal pharyngeal sensors (sensor 1: P=.017; sensor 2: P=.009) and lower pressure at the distal sensor (upper esophageal sphincter) (P<.001). Pressure in the upper pharynx was lower than that in the lower pharynx (P=.027). Effortful swallow generated greater surface electromyographic amplitudes than normal swallowing (P<.001). A statistically significant but weak negative correlation was identified between surface electromyographic and mid-pharyngeal pressure for normal swallowing condition (r=-.21, P<.01). For the effortful swallowing condition, statistically significant but weak negative correlations were identified between surface electromyographic and pressure measurements at all sensors (sensor 1: r=-.16, P=.02; sensor 2: r=-.30, P<.01; sensor 3: r=-.18, P<.01).


CONCLUSIONS
There is a significant change in both suprahyoid surface electromyographic and pharyngeal pressures during effortful swallow compared with normal swallow.
Huckabee
Maggie-Lee
ML
Department of Communication Disorders, University of Canterbury, Van der Veer Institute for Parkinson's and Brain Research, Christchurch, New Zealand. maggie-lee.huckabee@canterbury.ac.nz
Butler
Susan G
SG
Barclay
Murray
M
Jit
Sarah
S
D000328:Adult; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D003679:Deglutition / Q000502:physiology*; D004576:Electromyography; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008365:Manometry; D009119:Muscle Contraction / Q000502:physiology; D010609:Pharyngeal Muscles / Q000502:physiology*; D010614:Pharynx / Q000502:physiology*; D005082:Physical Exertion / Q000502:physiology; D011312:Pressure; D012016:Reference Values