Article ID: 11486
Purpose: The purpose of this study was to analyze swallowing-related motor function and to investigate the factors related to swallowing disorders.
Methods: Ninety patients with cerebrovascular disorder (45 with swallowing disorder, 45 without swallowing disorder) were recruited. Motor paralysis of upper and lower limbs, gait independence, tongue pressure, strength of suprahyoid muscles, laryngeal position, neck range of motion, spinal kyphosis, trunk function, breathing function, and grip strength were measured as indices of motor function related to swallowing. We analyzed the differences between the two groups of subjects using univariate analysis. Next, multivariate analysis (logistic regression analysis) was performed. Explanatory variables were those with significant differences in univariate analysis. The dependent variable was the presence or absence of swallowing disorder.
Results: The strength of suprahyoid muscles, neck extension range of motion, and spinal kyphosis were found to be significant predictors of swallowing disorders in multivariate analysis.
Conclusions: The fact that the strength of suprahyoid muscles, neck extension range of motion, and spinal kyphosis were found to be related to swallowing function indicates that physiotherapists should take part in the management of swallowing disorders and these findings should thus be applicable to clinical situations.
