Effects of a tongue-holding maneuver during swallowing evaluated by high-resolution manometry.
OBJECTIVE
This study aimed to investigate the effects of a tongue-holding maneuver (THM) during swallowing using a novel high-resolution manometry (HRM) system.


METHODS
Case series with planned data collection.


METHODS
Thirty-three asymptomatic Japanese adults were studied. A solid-state HRM assembly with 36 circumferential sensors spaced 1-cm apart was positioned to record pressures from the velopharynx to the upper esophagus at rest and during swallowing. The maximum values of the dry swallowing pressures at the velopharynx, mesohypopharynx, upper esophageal sphincter (UES), and distance from the nostril to each point of maximum values with and without the THM were measured.


RESULTS
The distance from the nostril to the UES was statistically shorter when swallowing with the THM than without the THM (paired t test, P=0.009). The maximum pressure at UES was greater when swallowing with the THM than without the THM, although there was no statistically significant difference (paired t test, P=0.051). There was no difference in the pressures and the distance between swallowing with or without the THM at any other site.


CONCLUSIONS
These findings suggest that the THM may not have a potential to facilitate compensatory swallowing power when swallowing.
Umeki
Hiroshi
H
Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Nagasaki University Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Nagasaki, Japan. hiro1972umeki2005@yahoo.co.jp
Takasaki
Kenji
K
Enatsu
Kaori
K
Tanaka
Fujinobu
F
Kumagami
Hidetaka
H
Takahashi
Haruo
H
D000328:Adult; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D003680:Deglutition Disorders / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000534:rehabilitation; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008365:Manometry / Q000379:methods; D008875:Middle Aged; D014059:Tongue / Q000503:physiopathology*