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Automated detection and evaluation of swallowing using a combined EMG/bioimpedance measurement system
Corinna Schultheiss1, Thomas Schauer2, Holger Nahrstaedt2
1Ear, Nose and Throat Unit, Unfallkrankenhaus Berlin, Warener Straße 7, 12683 Berlin, Germany.
Introduction:
Developing an automated diagnostic and therapeutic instrument for treating swallowing disorders requires procedures able to reliably detect and evaluate a swallow. We tested a two-stage detection procedure based on a combined electromyography/bioimpedance (EMBI) measurement system. EMBI is able to detect swallows and distinguish them from similar movements in healthy test subjects.
Study Design:
The study was planned and conducted as a case-control study (EA 1/019/10, and EA1/160/09, EA1/161/09).
Method:
The study looked at differences in swallowing parameters in general and in the event of penetration during swallows in healthy subjects and in patients with an oropharyngeal swallowing disorder. A two-stage automated swallow detection procedure which used electromyography (EMG) and bioimpedance (BI) to reliably detect swallows was developed.
Results:
Statistically significant differences between healthy subjects and patients with a swallowing disorder were found in swallowing parameters previously used to distinguish between swallowing and head movements. Our two-stage algorithm was able to reliably detect swallows (sensitivity = 96.1%, specificity = 97.1%) on the basis of these differences.
Discussion:
Using a two-stage detection procedure, the EMBI measurement procedure is able to detect and evaluate swallows automatically and reliably. The two procedures (EMBI + swallow detection) could in future form the basis for automated diagnosis and treatment (stimulation) of swallowing disorders.
