Bryson, Elizabeth M.
(2024)
The Relationship Between Upper Esophageal Sphincter Opening Duration as a Function of Laryngeal Elevation.
Master's Thesis, University of Pittsburgh.
(Unpublished)
Abstract
Swallowing is a complex, low-level autonomic function requiring the coordination of numerous muscles and nerves. Disordered swallowing, dysphagia, can result in an interruption of this coordination, manifesting as dysfunction within one or more phases of swallowing: oral, pharyngeal, esophageal. The aims of this study included: 1) compare upper esophageal sphincter opening duration (UESOd) and laryngeal elevation between patients with suspected dysphagia (n=50) and age-matched healthy persons (n=50); and 2) establish the relationship or correlation of UESOd to laryngeal elevation across the two investigated data sets. Videofluoroscopic images were retrospectively analyzed to measure UESOd, the interval between the first frame of upper esophageal sphincter (UES) opening and the first frame of UES closure, and laryngeal elevation, the total displacement of the larynx to the hyoid bone, in individuals swallowing approximately 3 mL thin liquid boluses. A comparison of group medians and analyses of group differences were performed to address the presenting aims. Results revealed a significant difference in UESOd between patient participants (Mdn=1200.00 milliseconds) and healthy participants (Mdn=633.33 milliseconds); p < .001. This difference carried a large effect size (d=2.15). Similarly, there was a significant difference in laryngeal elevation distance between patient participants (Mdn=0.26 pixels) and healthy participants (Mdn=0.31 pixels); p=.014. This difference carried a medium effect size (d=-0.49). For healthy participants, there was only a weakly positive and significant correlation found between measures of UESOd and laryngeal elevation; r=.29, p=.040. There was no significant correlation found between UESOd and laryngeal elevation in patient participants; r=-.03, p=.825. Clinically, these results provide objective data on UESOd and laryngeal elevation that can aid in clinical decision making.
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Details
| Item Type: |
University of Pittsburgh ETD
|
| Status: |
Unpublished |
| Creators/Authors: |
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| ETD Committee: |
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| Date: |
6 June 2024 |
| Date Type: |
Publication |
| Defense Date: |
7 March 2024 |
| Approval Date: |
6 June 2024 |
| Submission Date: |
3 April 2024 |
| Access Restriction: |
No restriction; Release the ETD for access worldwide immediately. |
| Number of Pages: |
47 |
| Institution: |
University of Pittsburgh |
| Schools and Programs: |
School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences > Communication Science and Disorders |
| Degree: |
MS - Master of Science |
| Thesis Type: |
Master's Thesis |
| Refereed: |
Yes |
| Uncontrolled Keywords: |
Swallowing, dysphagia, videofluoroscopy, upper esophageal sphincter, upper esophageal sphincter opening duration, larynx, laryngeal elevation |
| Date Deposited: |
06 Jun 2024 13:59 |
| Last Modified: |
06 Jun 2024 13:59 |
| URI: |
http://d-scholarship.pitt.edu/id/eprint/45994 |
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