Abstract
The tongue-hold swallow (THS) is a swallowing exercise that potentially facilitates anterior bulging of the posterior pharyngeal wall (PPW) in patients with reduced contact between the base of tongue (BOT) and the PPW. However, its actual therapeutic benefit has only rarely been evaluated. This paper examined the effects of THS in a patient who had received three months of THS-only therapy for his reduced BOT-PPW contact during the pharyngeal stage of swallowing. An analysis of videofluorographic images revealed improved BOT-PPW contact after therapy. In addition, the results indicated the possible enhancing effects of THS upon posterior movement of the BOT.
