Effect of Cervical Orthosis upon Swallowing.

, Han, Nami; , Kim, Donggun; , Kim, Hyundong; , An, Hyunmee; , Lee, Namju

Original Article

Journal of the Korean Academy of Rehabilitation Medicine 2005;29(6):662-668.

Han, Nami , Kim, Donggun , Kim, Hyundong , An, Hyunmee , Lee, Namju

Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Inje University College of Medicine, Korea. namih@unitel.co.kr

경추 보조기가 연하 과정에 미치는 영향

한나미, 김동건, 김현동, 안현미, 이남주

인제대학교 의과대학 부산백병원 재활의학과

Abstract

Objective
To investigate the effect of cervical orthosis upon swallowing and the differences of bracing effect between normal people and spinal cord injured patients.
Method
12 normal adults and 32 cervical cord injured patients who were wearing one of the three common cervical orthoses (soft neck collar, Philadelphia brace, and Minerva brace) were recruited. Swallowing function was evaluated by videofluoroscopic swallowing study (VFSS) without cervical bracing for the baseline data and with cervical bracing to compare with baseline data. The parameters observed were oropharyngeal diameter, initiation point of swallowing, hyoid bone movement, laryngeal penetration, aspiration,and residual volume after swallowing.
Results
Cervical orthoses decreased oropharyngeal diameter, reduced hyoid bone movement, increased residual volume, and changed initiation point of swallowing. Minerva brace revealed to give more influence than other braces. Normal adult group and patient group showed no difference in cervical bracing effect.
Conclusion
Attention should be paid to swallowing function when cervical bracing is needed because cervical bracing itself can increase the risk of aspiration. (J Korean Acad Rehab Med 2005; 29: 662-668)

Key Words: Swallowing, Cervical orthosis, Videofluoroscopic swallowing study