Abstract
[Purpose] We examined the influence of different head angles at the time of neck flexion on voluntary cough intensity. [Subjects] The subjects were 15 healthy adult women. [Method] The head angle was positioned in flexion, the neutral position, and extension with the neck in 30 degrees flexion. We measured cough peak flow (CPF), and maximum phonation time (MPT) of each head position and compared them. [Result] Although there were no significant differences in CPF and MPT among the different head positions, in the neck flexion + head flexion position, CPF tended to be lower than in the other 2 positions. In the neck flexion + head extension position, correlation was observed between CPF and MPT. [Conclusion] The results suggest that voluntary cough intensity at the time of neck flexion in the aspiration preventive position is affected by head angle.
