title: Influence of the chin-down and chin-tuck maneuver on the swallowing kinematics of healthy adults.
abstract: The purpose of the study was to investigate the influence of the chin-tuck maneuver on the movements of swallowing-related structures in healthy subjects and formulate standard instructions for the maneuver. A total of 40 healthy volunteers (20 men and 20 women) swallowed 10 mL of diluted barium solution in a "normal and comfortable" position (NEUT), a comfortable chin-down position (DOWN), and a strict chin-tuck position (TUCK). Resting state anatomy and kinematic changes were analyzed and compared between postures. Although angles of anterior cervical flexion were comparable between DOWN (46.65 ± 9.69 degrees) and TUCK (43.27 ± 12.20), the chin-to-spine distance was significantly shorter in TUCK than in other positions. Only TUCK showed a significantly shorter anteroposterior diameter of the laryngeal inlet (TUCK vs. NEUT, 14.0 ± 4.3 vs. 16.3 ± 5.0 mm) and the oropharynx (18.8 ± 3.1 vs. 20.5 ± 2.8 mm) at rest. The maximal horizontal displacement of the hyoid bone was significantly less in TUCK (9.6 ± 3.0 mm) than in NEUT (12.6 ± 2.6 mm; p < 0.01) or DOWN (12.1 ± 3.0 mm; p < 0.01). TUCK facilitated movement of the epiglottic base upward (TUCK vs. NEUT, 15.8 ± 4.7 vs. 13.3 ± 4.5 mm; p < 0.01). In contrast, DOWN increased the horizontal excursion of the epiglottic base and reduced movement of the vocal cords. These results quantitatively elucidated the biomechanical influences of the chin-tuck maneuver including reduced horizontal movement of the hyoid bone, facilitation of vertical movement of the epiglottic base, and narrowing of the airway entrance. Comparing DOWN and TUCK, only TUCK induced significant changes in the airway entrance, hyoid movement, and epiglottic base retraction.
authors.affiliation: Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Seoul National University College of Medicine, 101, Daehang-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul, 110-744, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Ja-Ho
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Leigh
authors.forename: Byung-Mo
authors.initials: BM
authors.lastname: Oh
authors.forename: Han Gil
authors.initials: HG
authors.lastname: Seo
authors.forename: Goo Joo
authors.initials: GJ
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Yusun
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Min
authors.forename: Keewon
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Jung Chan
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Tai Ryoon
authors.initials: TR
authors.lastname: Han
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D002680:Chin / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D003679:Deglutition; D005260:Female; D064368:Healthy Volunteers; D006801:Humans; D006928:Hyoid Bone; D007830:Larynx / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000502:physiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged