Authors: Cha, Tae-Hyun¹; Oh, Duck-Won²; Shim, Jae-Hun³

Source: Dysphagia, Volume 25, Number 3, September 2010 , pp. 261-264(4)

Publisher: Springer

Abstract:

A 25-year-old patient with spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) type II was referred due to swallowing problems related to prolonged nonoral feeding. Restriction of jaw movement, neck stiffness, absence of oral food intake, and weakness of the oropharyngeal and laryngeal muscles were considered to be the main factors contributing to the deterioration of his swallowing function. Treatment comprised exercises to improve flexibility of the neck and temporomandibular joint, tactile oral stimulation, passive and active oropharyngolaryngeal exercises, and supraglottic swallowing maneuvers. Treatment was performed for 30 min per day, three times a week, for 7 months. On initial videofluoroscopic examination, the patient was unable to safely tolerate any per-oral nutrition. After 7 months of treatment, the patient's swallowing function had improved to the extent that he was able to resume oral intake of food under supervision, and aspiration was no longer evident. These findings suggest that noninvasive treatment is a possible strategy for enhancing the swallowing function of a patient with SMA type II presenting with swallowing difficulties related to prolonged nonoral feeding.

Keywords: Spinal muscular dystrophy; Swallowing; Dysphagia; Noninvasive treatment; Deglutition; Deglutition disorders

Document Type: Research article

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00455-009-9269-1

Affiliations: 1: Department of Occupational Therapy, Gangnam Severance Hospital, Yonsei University, 712 Eonjuro (146-92), Gangnam-gu, Seoul, 135-720, Republic of Korea 2: Department of Physical Therapy, College of Health and Sports Science, Daejeon University, 96-3, Yongun-dong, Dong-gu, Daejeon, 300-716, Republic of Korea, Email: duckwono@dju.kr 3: Department of Physical Therapy, Division of Health Science, Baekseok University, 115, Anseong-dong, Dongnam-gu, Cheonan-si, Chungcheongnam-do, 330-704, Republic of Korea

Publication date: 2010-09-01

Related content

• In this: publication
• By this: publisher
• In this Subject: Ear, Nose & Throat ,  Gastroenterology ,  Radiology & Imaging
• By this author: Cha, Tae-Hyun ;  Oh, Duck-Won ;  Shim, Jae-Hun

Website © Publishing Technology. Article copyright remains with the publisher, society or author(s) as specified within the article.

• Terms and conditions
• Privacy policy
• Information for advertisers