Volumetric Changes to the Pharynx in Healthy Aging: Consequence for Pharyngeal Swallow Mechanics and Function.
Sonja M Molfenter, Charles Lenell, Cathy L Lazarus
PMID 30039259WHAT IT FOUND
In healthy adults over 65, larger pharyngeal lumen volume was associated with worse pharyngeal constriction and more vallecular residue.
Age and sex did not add to these differences, but stronger posterior tongue was linked to more pharyngeal shortening.
Key findings
01Larger pharyngeal lumen volume was associated with worse pharyngeal constriction and more vallecular residue, but not with pharyngeal shortening.
02Posterior tongue strength was associated with greater pharyngeal shortening, but not with constriction or residue.
03Bolus condition affected all swallowing measures: larger volume and thicker viscosity generally produced more shortening, less constriction, and worse residue.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for SLPs
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What it does not show
The study included only healthy community-dwelling adults over 65, so it does not show what happens in people with diagnosed dysphagia or neurologic disease. Participants were volunteers from community centers and were mostly non-frail or pre-frail, so the sample may be healthier than typical older adults. The design was cross-sectional, so it can show association but cannot prove that larger pharyngeal volume causes worse swallowing. Only three bolus conditions were analyzed, so the findings do not cover the full range of textures and volumes clinicians see. Pharyngeal volume was measured from breathing waveforms and includes structures beyond the pharyngeal constrictor muscles, so it is not a direct measure of pharyngeal muscle atrophy. Pharyngeal constriction was measured only from side-view video, and the protocol lacked a 1 ml hold measure needed for the traditional constriction ratio.
Declared interests
The supplied text lists NIH extramural research support. No other funding or author conflicts are stated.
The easy way to misread this
Do not read this as evidence that pharyngeal strengthening exercises prevent age-related dysphagia. The study tested associations in healthy older adults and did not give any exercise program.