Videofluoroscopic measures of swallowing in people with stable COPD compared to healthy aging.

Purpose: Swallowing impairment is a serious extra-pulmonary manifestation of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). Previous studies suggest that individuals with stable COPD show atypical values for several videofluoroscopy measures of swallowing, compared to healthy adults under age 60. However, it is unclear to what degree these changes are attributable to healthy aging.

The effectiveness of the head-turn-plus-chin-down maneuver for eliminating vallecular residue.

Purpose When swallowing efficiency is impaired, residue accumulates in the pharynx. Cued or spontaneous swallows in the head neutral position do not always successfully clear residue. We investigated the impact of a novel maneuver on residue clearance by combining a head turn with the chin down posture.