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Age and volume effects on liquid swallowing function in normal women
A W Rademaker1, B R Pauloski, L A Colangelo
1Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA.
Summary
Swallowing function in women changes with age, showing longer transit times and motor response durations. Increased liquid bolus volume decreases transit times but lengthens valve closure durations.
Area of Science:
- Physiology
- Gerontology
- Speech and Hearing Science
Background:
- Understanding normal swallowing is crucial for diagnosing dysphagia.
- Age and bolus volume are known factors influencing swallowing, but require further quantification in specific populations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effects of aging and varying liquid bolus volumes on swallowing function in healthy women.
- To establish normative data for swallowing parameters in relation to age and bolus volume.
Main Methods:
- Videofluoroscopic assessment of 167 healthy female participants.
- Measurement of pharyngeal transit time, motor response duration, and valve function.
- Analysis of swallowing function across different age groups and liquid bolus volumes (1-10 ml).
Main Results:
- Swallowing function in women changes significantly with age, characterized by increased pharyngeal transit and motor response durations.
- Age-related increases were observed in upper aerodigestive tract valve closure/opening durations and laryngeal elevation/hyoid movement.
- Increasing bolus volume consistently decreased transit times and increased valve closure/opening durations.
Conclusions:
- Age and liquid bolus volume significantly impact swallowing dynamics in women.
- This study provides detailed, age- and volume-specific data on normal swallowing function in women, aiding dysphagia assessment.