Effects of neck exercises on swallowing function of patients with stroke

Abstract

[Purpose] This study examined the effects of neck exercises using PNF on the swallowing function of stroke patients with dysphasia. [Subjects and Methods] A total of 26 study subjects were selected and randomly divided into an experimental group of 13 subjects, who received the PNF-based short neck flexion exercises, and a control group of 13 subjects, who received the Shaker exercise. [Results] The experimental group showed statistically significant improvements in premature bolus loss, residue in the valleculae, laryngeal elevation, epiglottic closure, residue in the pyriform sinuses, and coating of the pharyngeal wall after swallowing, and improvements in pharyngeal transit time, and aspiration on both the new VFSS scale and the ASHA NOMS scale. [Conclusion] PNF-based short neck flexion exercises appear to be effective at improving swallowing function of stroke patients with dysphagia.

Effects of Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation (NMES) Plus Upper Cervical Spine Mobilization on Forward Head Posture and Swallowing Function in Stroke Patients with Dysphagia

“…A reclined position with the neck flexed improved the swallowing function in children with cerebral palsy [ 41 ]. The results of previous studies that improved the swallowing function in stroke patients after PNF-based short neck flexion exercises support the findings of the current study [ 42 ].…”

Oropharyngeal dysphagia in older persons – from pathophysiology to adequate intervention: a review and summary of an international expert meeting

“…Theoretically OD induced by isolated UES abnormality can be: 1) primary myogenic which will respond to dilatation, 2) primary neurogenic which will respond best to myotomy or Botox injection, and 3) secondary, due to weakness of the suprahyoid opening muscles. This entity will respond to rehabilitative exercises such as the Shaker Exercise or variants of it with or without use of equipment 23 , 25 , 26 or the Mendelsohn maneuver. 27 Differentiation of the three categories of the UES opening abnormality with current clinical tests may be difficult since they all present with similar objective findings on fluoroscopic and manometric studies.…”

Effects of Cervical Kyphosis on Recovery From Dysphagia After Stroke

“…On the contrary, the DCF exercises strengthen the submental muscles as well as deep neck flexors like the Shaker exercise. The short neck flexion exercise has been reported to effectively strengthen the suprahyoid, infrahyoid, longus capitis, and rectus capitis lateralis muscles [25]. However, the evidence about the effects of DCF on swallowing function is not sufficient; hence, further investigations are necessary to evaluate the direct effects of DCF exercise on recovery from swallowing dysfunction in stroke patients.…”