Does an exercise aimed at improving swallow function have an effect on vocal function in the healthy elderly?

Age-related sarcopenia or muscle wasting contributes to changes in the ability to perform activities of daily living, changes in deglutition, and changes in vocal function. The Shaker Exercise, an isometric and isokinetic exercise, has been shown to strengthen suprahyoid muscles and increase deglutitive anteroposterior (AP) upper esophageal sphincter (UES) opening diameter. The aim of this study was to determine if this exercise has an effect on the age-related changes in vocal function and deglutition in healthy older adults. Eleven females and 10 males, aged 65-78 years (mean = 70 +/- 4 years) and with a negative history for dysphagia and voice disorders, participated by exercising three times per day for 6 weeks. Five age-matched controls did not perform the exercise. Acoustic analysis of voice and biomechanical analysis of deglutition were performed before and after 6 weeks of exercise. Controls participated in voice analysis only. Dysphonia Severity Index (DSI), a multivariate voice index, was used to compare voice production initially and after 6 weeks. Deglutitive biomechanical measures increased and DSI scores improved in 10 of 21 participants following 6 weeks of the exercise. DSI for controls did not change over the 6-week period. Ten of 21 exercise participants experienced improved deglutitive biomechanics and DSI scores. Accuracy of exercise performance, compliance, and/or disclosed alterations in health status may contribute to the lack of deglutitive and DSI change in the participants who did not experience change in function. A large randomized control study, including periodic monitoring of health status, exercise performance accuracy, and compliance, is warranted to evaluate the affect of this exercise on deglutition as well as voice. The Shaker Exercise could be recommended as a preventative measure to diminish the effect of sarcopenia on the muscles used in deglutition and voice and alter the progression of the characteristic senescent voice and swallow changes.