Efficacy of Structured Exercise on Swallowing and Pulmonary Functions in Cervicogenic Dysphagia: A Randomized...

Cervicogenic dysphagia (CD) is a swallowing difficulty caused by cervical problems, typically impacting swallowing function (SF) and pulmonary function (PF).

To explore the effect of a structured exercise program comprising cervical stretching, strengthening, and stabilizing exercises on the SF and PF in patients with CD.

32 patients (age 35-50 years) with CD were randomly allocated into a study group (n = 17) and a control group (n = 15). All participants received three sessions/week for 8 weeks.

The study group received the structured exercise program and the swallow resistance exercise (SRE), while the control group received the SRE only.

The craniovertebral angle (CVA), SF (using the swallow-difficulty questionnaire "SDQ"), and PF (including forced vital capacity "FVC" and forced expiratory volume in one second "FEV1") were evaluated pre-study and post-study. Statistical comparisons were done using paired t-tests (within groups) and one-way ANOVA (between groups).

Within the study group, significant reductions in the SDQ scores were observed (by -68.31%, P < .0001), along with a statistically significant increase in CVA (by 20.66%, P < .0001), FVC (by 8.16%, P < .0001), and FEV1 (by 6.69%, P = .02). The control group showed a significant reduction in SDQ (by -37.01%, P < .0001), along with a non-significant increase in CVA (by 1.43%, P = .24), FVC (by 0.22%, P = .34), and FEV1 (by 0.62%, P = .1). Between groups, the analysis revealed significant differences in SDQ (P < .0001), CVA (P < .0001), FVC (P < .0001), and FEV1 (P = .01), all in favor of the study group.

A structured exercise program can effectively improve both swallowing function and pulmonary function in patients with cervicogenic dysphagia.