title: Effects of Lingual Effort on Swallow Pressures Following Radiation Treatment.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This article investigated the effects of increased oral lingual pressure on pharyngeal pressures during swallowing in patients who have undergone radiotherapy for head and neck cancer. It was hypothesized that increased oral lingual pressure would result in increased pharyngeal pressures.
  
  
  METHODS
  A within-subject experimental design was used with 20 participants who were status post external beam radiotherapy for head and neck cancer. Participants completed typical swallows and swallows with increased lingual force during manofluoroscopic swallow studies. The swallow condition order was randomized across participants.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Manometric data revealed significant differences in swallow pressure by condition at the base of tongue and upper esophageal sphincter sensor locations without significant pressure differences in the lower pharynx. The effortful lingual swallows resulted in higher mean pressures at all locations.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The results of this study suggest that use of a maneuver designed to increase oral tongue effort can also increase pharyngeal tongue base pressure. Therefore, therapeutic activities used to generate greater pressure of the oral tongue may also alter pharyngeal response. Further research is needed to determine the direct clinical effect on swallow function for individuals with head and neck cancer.
authors: Kerry
authors: K
authors: Lenius
authors: Julie
authors: J
authors: Stierwalt
authors: Leonard L
authors: LL
authors: LaPointe
authors: Michelle
authors: M
authors: Bourgeois
authors: Giselle
authors: G
authors: Carnaby
authors: Michael
authors: M
authors: Crary
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003679:Deglutition / Q000502:physiology*; D003680:Deglutition Disorders / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D005260:Female; D005471:Fluoroscopy; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008365:Manometry; D008875:Middle Aged; D010614:Pharynx / Q000503:physiopathology*; D011312:Pressure; D014059:Tongue / Q000503:physiopathology*