Effects of enhanced bolus flavors on oropharyngeal swallow in patients treated for head and neck cancer.
BACKGROUND
Treatment for head and neck cancer can reduce peripheral sensory input and impair oropharyngeal swallow. This study examined the effect of enhanced bolus flavor on liquid swallows in these patients.


METHODS
Fifty-one patients treated for head and neck cancer with chemoradiation or surgery and 64 healthy adult control subjects served as subjects. All were randomized to receive sour, sweet, or salty bolus flavor. Patients were evaluated at 7-10 days, 1 month, and 3 months after completion of tumor treatment. Control subjects received 1 assessment.


RESULTS
All bolus flavors affected oropharyngeal swallow; sour flavor significantly shortened pharyngeal transit time across all evaluations.


CONCLUSIONS
Sour flavor influenced the swallow of patients treated for head and neck cancer, as well as that of control subjects in a manner similar to those with neurologic impairment observed in an earlier study. Sour flavor may improve the speed of pharyngeal transit regardless of whether a patient has suffered peripheral or central sensory damage.
Communication Sciences and Disorders, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL 60208-3540, USA. pauloski@northwestern.edu
Barbara Roa
BR
Pauloski
Jerilyn A
JA
Logemann
Alfred W
AW
Rademaker
Donna
D
Lundy
Paula A
PA
Sullivan
Lisa A
LA
Newman
Cathy
C
Lazarus
Mary
M
Bacon
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003680:Deglutition Disorders / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D005421:Flavoring Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000150:complications* / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009960:Oropharynx / Q000503:physiopathology; D013649:Taste; D014987:Xerostomia / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology
D005421:Flavoring Agents