Nineteen adults with no known swallowing difficulty were studied by videofluoroscopy, scintigraphy and swallowing electromyography. By these tools the pharyngeal transit time was measured in 3 positions (neutral, chin up, chin down) and in 2 diets (fluid, soft blend diet). The purposes of this study are to estimate normal values of the pharyngeal transit time in videofluoroscopy, scintigraphy, swallowing electromyography, to ascertain changes of the pharyngeal transit time according to position and diet. Through this study we found normal values of the pharyngeal transit time in various positions and diets in each tool. According to position, the pharyngeal transit time was prolonged in chin up position, and swallowing electromyography was most sensitive to positional change.
According to diet, the pharyngeal transit time was prolonged in soft blend diet than fluid, and scintigraphy was most sensitive to dietary consistency.
