Effects of Oropharyngeal Air-Pulse Stimulation on Swallowing in Healthy Older Adults

Results indicated that bilateral oropharyngeal air-pulse stimulation was associated with a statistically significant increase in mean saliva swallowing rate compared to baseline without mouthpiece, baseline with mouthpiece in situ, and sham stimulation. In previous studies, young adults reported an irrepressible urge to swallow in response to oropharyngeal air-pulse delivery, but the older adults in the current study did not perceive the air-pulse stimulation as being associated with swallowing or other behaviors. These findings indicate that oropharyngeal air-pulse stimulation facilitates the elicitation of saliva swallowing in older adults.

from Dysphagia

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