Effects of verbal cue on bolus flow during swallowing

To examine the effects of verbal cuing to initiate swallowing on bolus flow measures in healthy adults.

Videofluoroscopic examinations were completed in 12 healthy older adults (median age=69 years) as they swallowed 5 ml of self-administered liquid barium in 2 conditions: verbally cued and noncued swallows. In the cued condition, participants held the liquid in their mouths until instructed to swallow. In the noncued condition, participants swallowed in their usual manner.

Verbal cue affected bolus position at onset of timing measures, thereby influencing duration. The bolus was positioned more posterior in the oral cavity at onset of oral transit for cued as compared with noncued swallows. The leading edge of the bolus at onset of the pharyngeal swallow was more superior in the pharynx for cued as compared with noncued swallows. Durations of the cued swallows were significantly shorter than for noncued swallows for all timing measures. Bolus direction scores were not significantly different between conditions.

Findings suggest that swallowing is altered by the use of verbal cues to initiate swallowing in healthy adults. Determining whether shorter durations with implementation of verbal cues are evident in individuals with dysphagia and whether effects are beneficial or deleterious requires continued research.