Safe and efficient swallowing requires integrity of both motor and sensory systems. Prior studies have established that motor impairment in individuals with PD frequently manifests as abnormalities in swallowing biomechanics. In contrast, very few studies have investigated the contribution of sensory impairment towards pharyngeal biomechanics and airway protection in this patient cohort. This area should be addressed in light of evidence that the severity of limb motor dysfunction in PD does not reliably predict severity of dysphagia. Emerging data suggests that dysphagia in PD cannot be solely attributed to motor impairment, but may also be influenced by deficits in sensory aspects of airway protection. As an example, silent aspiration in up to 100% has been reported in individuals with PD due to laryngopharyngeal sensory deficits have. Even so, current research lacks information on the integration of both motor and sensory components that make up the swallowing process. The aim of this study was to document changes in airway protection with age, in PD and across severity levels of PD. The project was comprised of two parts. In part one, three parallel studies were conducted to assess a series of both motor and sensory airway mechanism (Chapters 4 to 9). In the first study, 16 young (8 males, age range 21.3 - 32.4) and 16 elder adults (8 males, age range 61.5 - 84.7), were assessed to investigate changes in airway protection that accompany ageing. In the second study, data from individuals diagnosed with PD across severity levels (Hoehn-Yahr 1 - 4, age range 64.2 - 84.5) were age and gender-matched to 16 healthy elders in order to examine the effects of PD on airway protection. In the third, the impact of disease severity was studied with data from 16 individuals in the earlier stages (Hoehn-Yahr ≤ 2, 13 males, age range 51.3 - 82.5, ) compared to 16 individuals in the later stages (Hoehn-Yahr ≥ 2.5, 10 males, age range 61.5 - 78.9). In part two of this project, two smaller, pilot studies were completed to probe the influence of pharmacologic and behavioural treatments on airway protection mechanisms. In the first pilot study, the effect of pharmacotherapy on airway protection was investigated in 10 patients 'on' and 'off' levodopa (Chapter 10). In the second study, 5 patients were assessed before and after completing the Lee Silverman Voice Treatment (LSVT) to document effects of speech rehabilitation on airway protection (Chapter 11). Multimodality assessment elicited data from all participants on both motor and sensory components of airway protection (Chapter 3). Specifically, breathing-swallowing coordination (BSC) and swallowing apnoea (SA) were captured using simultaneous directional nasal airflow and surface electromyography (sEMG). Standard, closed-loop spirometry was used to assess pulmonary function. Swallowing biomechanics were screened using a validated timed test of swallowing efficiency and further evaluated using fibreoptic endoscopic evaluation of swallowing (FEES). Finally, chemo-sensation of the laryngopharynx was determined with the administration of the inhalation cough challenge while mechanosensation was examined using FEES. Results suggest that motor control for airway protection is reasonably robust in PD, although sensory response is impaired. The predominant pattern for swallowing respiratory coordination was mid-expiration for all participants regardless of age and disease severity (Chapter 4). Individuals with PD demonstrated a reduction in average time and volume per swallow, leading to an overall decrease in swallowing capacity (Chapter 5). No difference was found for swallowing efficiency between those in early and later stages of PD. Pulmonary function measures were not significantly different as a function of age, PD or PD severity (Chapter 6). In summary, results from motor assessments contributing to airway protection support the robustness of breathing-swallowing coordination (BSC) and pulmonary function across research groups, but identify a reduction in overall swallowing efficiency in PD. Results from sensory assessments contributing to airway protection revealed that chemosensation was not different between age groups but base of tongue mechano-sensation was diminished in individuals with PD. Natural cough thresholds did not differ between young adults and elders but when asked to stifle coughing, elders were less able to do so compared to young adults (Chapter 7). For the first time, a reduction in mechano-reception at the base of tongue was recorded in individuals with PD (Chapter 8). These patients also demonstrated increased post swallow residual (Chapter 5), which offers an explanation for the complaint of globus in this population. These assessments highlight some compromise to sensory aspects of airway protection in PD. Overall, dysphagia had a negative impact on the quality of life of individuals with PD and even more as disease severity progresses (Chapter 9). Results from part two of the study looking at the effects of therapeutic interventions on airway protection revealed some unexpected findings. In chapter 10, results showed a reduction in pulmonary function when 'on' levodopa, but no differences in swallowing efficiency, BSC, or laryngopharyngeal chemo- and mechano-reception were observed. These results suggested a reduction in pulmonary function with levodopa without any increase in risk of airway protection compromise1. Unexpectedly and documented for the first time, the percentage of post swallow inspiration increased after LSVT (Chapter 11) but as with the levodopa study, this was also not accompanied by any apparent increase in aspiration risk. An increase in submental surface electromyography (sEMG) amplitude across all 5 participants may serve as a proxy measure of improvement in hyolaryngeal excursion. Finally, participants reported an overall improvement in social functioning and communication after LSVT. In conclusion, this study provided evidence that mechano-sensory aspect of airway protection is diminished in individuals with PD, possibly compromising airway protection. Patients not only demonstrated increased residue but the lack of sensation may prevent clearing or spontaneous multiple swallows. Overall, airway protection is maintained in ageing but swallowing efficiency declines in the presence of PD. This study contributes significantly to current research efforts in PD by expanding on existing reports regarding motor aspects of airway protection. Specifically, BSC, swallowing efficiency and evaluation of biomechanics using FEES research have never before been investigated exclusively in the PD population. Finally, the chemo- and mechano-sensation evaluated in this study are an important addition to the limited evidence that sensory impairment in individuals with PD potentially compromises airway protection. Results of the present study will serve as a platform upon which future studies may compare and expand.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:ADTP/273846 |
| Date | January 2007 |
| Creators | Leow, Li Pyn |
| Publisher | University of Canterbury. Communication Disorders |
| Source Sets | Australiasian Digital Theses Program |
| Language | English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Rights | Copyright Li Pyn Leow, http://library.canterbury.ac.nz/thesis/etheses_copyright.shtml |
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