Effects of Cervical Bracing on Elderly Patients With Dysphagia

This study aimed to determine if cervical bracing with a PMT collar increases risk of airway invasion and pharyngeal residue in elderly patients with dysphagia. Additionally, it aimed to identify patient preference for cervical bracing during deglutition.

Twenty-one patients underwent a videofluoroscopic swallow study. Thin liquid, nectar thick liquid, pudding, and cracker were administered with cervical collar on and off with order of condition randomized. The Penetration-Aspiration Scale (PAS) was used to grade swallows, with McNemar's test of symmetry used to determine whether the categorical PAS score was similar between conditions. Pharyngeal residue was measured following swallows. Patients were asked which condition they preferred, and which was more comfortable with "no difference" being a selection.

No significant difference in PAS categorization score was measured for any consistency (p = .317-.919). Significantly more pyriform sinus residue was measured in the collar off condition (p = .003), albeit amounts were within normative range, with no difference measured in vallecula residue between conditions (p = .939). Forty-five percent of participants preferred to swallow with the collar off, while 55% indicated no preference. Forty-one percent of participants indicated increased comfort with collar off, while 59% indicated no difference in comfort. No participant preferred swallowing or indicated increased comfort with the collar on.

Presence of a cervical collar in elderly patients with dysphagia did not result in a significant difference in airway invasion or total pharyngeal residue. There was significantly more residue in the pyriform sinuses when cervical bracing was removed. The majority of patients did not indicate a difference in preference or comfort between collar on/off conditions.