Pascal H H M Van Lieshout1, Catriona M Steele, Anthony E Lang. 1. Department of Speech-Language Pathology, University of Toronto, and Toronto Western Hospital Research Institute, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada. p.vanlieshout@utoronto.ca
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Patients with Parkinson's disease often suffer from swallowing problems, especially at more advanced stages of the disease. Efficient swallows require well-coordinated tongue movements during bolus flow, but little is known about such movements in Parkinson's disease. METHODS: The current study presents data on tongue movements for patients with mild to moderate Parkinson's disease (n=10), age-matched adults (n=13), and younger healthy adults (n=15). RESULTS: Participants with Parkinson's disease showed smaller and more variable movements in the horizontal movement plane, indicating that tongue movements are affected in early stages of Parkinson's disease. CONCLUSIONS: The small and more variable movements in the horizontal plane of Patients with Parkinson's disease may pose challenges for swallowing liquids efficiently and safely.
BACKGROUND:Patients with Parkinson's disease often suffer from swallowing problems, especially at more advanced stages of the disease. Efficient swallows require well-coordinated tongue movements during bolus flow, but little is known about such movements in Parkinson's disease. METHODS: The current study presents data on tongue movements for patients with mild to moderate Parkinson's disease (n=10), age-matched adults (n=13), and younger healthy adults (n=15). RESULTS:Participants with Parkinson's disease showed smaller and more variable movements in the horizontal movement plane, indicating that tongue movements are affected in early stages of Parkinson's disease. CONCLUSIONS: The small and more variable movements in the horizontal plane of Patients with Parkinson's disease may pose challenges for swallowing liquids efficiently and safely.
Authors: Michelle R Ciucci; Laura M Grant; Eunice S Paul Rajamanickam; Breanna L Hilby; Katherine V Blue; Corinne A Jones; Cynthia A Kelm-Nelson Journal: Semin Speech Lang Date: 2013-10-28 Impact factor: 1.761