Neuromuscular adaptations of swallowing and speech in unilateral cerebral palsy: shared and distinctive traits.

Our aims were to ) examine the neuromuscular control of swallowing and speech in children with unilateral cerebral palsy (UCP) compared with typically developing children (TDC), ) determine shared and separate neuromuscular underpinnings of the two functions, and ) explore the relationship between this control and behavioral outcomes in UCP. Surface electromyography (sEMG) was used to record muscle activity from the submental and superior and inferior orbicularis oris muscles during standardized swallowing and speech tasks. The variables examined were normalized mean amplitude, time to peak amplitude, and bilateral synchrony.

Shared and Separate Neuromuscular Underpinnings of Swallowing and Motor Speech Development in the School-Age Years.

Purpose: Despite co-occurrence of swallowing and speech disorders in childhood, there is limited research on shared and separate neuromuscular underpinnings of these functions. The purpose of this study was to (a) compare neuromuscular control of swallowing and speech between younger and older children and (b) determine similarities and differences in neuromuscular control of swallowing and speech.

Method: Twenty-six typically developing children (thirteen 7- to 8-year-olds and thirteen 11- to 12-year-olds) completed this cross-sectional study.

Swallowing and Motor Speech Skills in Unilateral Cerebral Palsy: Novel Findings From a Preliminary Cross-Sectional Study.

Purpose: Our purpose was to start examining clinical swallowing and motor speech skills of school-age children with unilateral cerebral palsy (UCP) compared to typically developing children (TDC), how these skills relate to each other, and whether they are predicted by clinical/demographic data (age, birth history, lesion type, etc.).

Method: Seventeen children with UCP and 17 TDC (7-12 years old) participated in this cross-sectional study.

Advances in Swallowing Neurophysiology across Pediatric Development: Current Evidence and Insights.

Purpose Of Review: This review article analyzes current evidence on the neurophysiology of swallowing during development and offers expert opinion on clinical implications and future research directions.

Recent Findings: In the past five years, basic and clinical research has offered advances in our understanding of pediatric swallowing neurophysiology. Animal models have elucidated the role of brainstem circuits and the peripheral and central nervous system in neonatal swallowing.

The Role of White Matter in the Neural Control of Swallowing: A Systematic Review.

Swallowing disorders (dysphagia) can negatively impact quality of life and health. For clinicians and researchers seeking to improve outcomes for patients with dysphagia, understanding the neural control of swallowing is critical. The role of gray matter in swallowing control has been extensively documented, but knowledge is limited regarding the contributions of white matter.

Telehealth for Dysphagia Across the Life Span: Using Contemporary Evidence and Expertise to Guide Clinical Practice During and After COVID-19.

Purpose Our aim was to critically review recent literature on the use of telehealth for dysphagia during the COVID-19 pandemic and enhance this information in order to provide evidence- and practice-based clinical guidance during and after the pandemic. Method We conducted a rapid systematized review to identify telehealth adaptations during COVID-19, according to peer-reviewed articles published from January to August 2020. Of the 40 articles identified, 11 met the inclusion criteria.