Effect of partial head extension swallowing exercise on the strength of the suprahyoid and tongue muscles in healthy subjects: A feasibility study

Abstract

Summary Background Head extension swallowing exercise (HESE) is one of the exercise methods to strengthen the suprahyoid muscle and tongue. In this study, we modified the exercise protocol of the original HESE for application in patients who have difficulty in performing full HESE owing to decreased muscular strength related to swallowing. Objective The purpose of this study was to investigate the feasibility and the effect of partial HESE on suprahyoid muscle activation and the tongue pressure during 30° extension of the head, rather than full extension, for 8 weeks. Methods Thirteen healthy young volunteers (mean age, 21.5 ± 1.13 years) participated in this study. The participants extended their head backward by 30° and swallowed their saliva every 10 seconds. The exercise was performed three times a week for 8 weeks. The effect of the exercise was confirmed by surface electromyography and tongue pressure measurement. The measurements were performed three times (baseline, at 4 weeks and at 8 weeks). Results No significant improvement in the tongue pressure‐related parameters and suprahyoid muscle activation compared to those at baseline was observed as a result of the exercise. Conclusion Although partial HESE in healthy adults did not lead to significant improvement in swallowing‐related muscle strength, this study confirmed the feasibility of partial HESE. On the basis of these results, future studies should assess the applicability and effectiveness of partial HESE in elderly individuals and patients with dysphagia with swallowing‐related muscular weakness.

Variability in tongue pressure among elderly and young healthy cohorts: A systematic review and meta‐analysis

“…In this systematic review, TP data with IOPI from subjects all over the world, including Asia, 19,21,39,40,48,51,52,66‐70 Oceania, 50 North America, 9,17,18,29‐32,34,45,53,58,71 South America 36,43,54 and Europe, 15,72 have been collected. All TP values measured using the JMS are in the Japanese studies 2‐4,7,14,16,20,22‐24,33,35,37,38,41,42,44,46,47,49,51,55‐57,59‐61,64,73‐83 .…”

“…TA B L E 2 Results of quality assessment for (a) analytical study according to NOS, and for (b) included randomised clinical trials (RCTs) and non-RCTs according to Cochrane Collaboration's tool for assessing risk of bias In this systematic review, TP data with IOPI from subjects all over the world, including Asia, 19,21,39,40,48,51,52,[66][67][68][69][70] Oceania, 50 North America, 9,17,18,[29][30][31][32]34,45,53,58,71 South America 36,43,54 and Europe, 15,72 have been collected. All TP values measured using the JMS are in the Japanese studies.…”

Dose in Exercise-Based Dysphagia Therapies: A Scoping Review

“…Given the goals of this exercise, the three most common outcome measures used in 13 articles targeted were changes in hyoid bone movement [72,74,76,77,79], suprahyoid muscular activation [78,81,84], and UES opening [72,74,76,77]. For changes in hyoid excursion, 3 out of 5 found significantly increased hyoid movement (anteriorly) [72,74,79], but 2 articles did not [76,77].…”

“…Most of these articles used the same or a similar protocol for head lift exercise [72,74,76,77]. Suprahyoid activation was significantly increased after exercise in 2 out of 3 articles, with no significant treatment effects in the study with the least frequently prescribed exercise frequency (1x/day; 2 days/week) [84]. Anterior-posterior opening of the UES was significantly greater in 3 out of 4 articles [72,76,77].…”

Effect of Dysphagia Rehabilitation Using Kinesiology Taping on Oropharyngeal Muscle Hypertrophy in Post-Stroke Patients: A Double Blind Randomized Placebo-Controlled Trial

“…Exercise-based dysphagia rehabilitation (EBDR) has been commonly used in clinical practice for the past three decades by multidisciplinary approach of specialized professionals including rehabilitation physicians, speech-language therapists, and occupational therapists [18,19]. In the past few years, many researchers have reported various methods of EBDR, such as shaker exercise (head lift exercise) [4,20], tongue strengthening exercise [12,21,22], expiratory muscle strengthening training [23,24], effortful swallowing [25,26], chin tuck against resistance exercise [27,28], forehead against resistance [29], chin-to-chest exercise [28,30], Mendelsohn [31,32], jaw opening exercise [33,34], proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation technique [35], head extension swallowing exercise [36,37], swallowing against laryngeal restriction [38,39], and swallow exercise aid exercise [40,41] to improve swallowing function. These methods are known to induce high activation of muscles by providing loading to the oropharyngeal muscles, and consequently, contributing to the improvement of oropharyngeal swallowing function, increased hyoid bone movement and myophysiological changes.…”