Effects of Cervical Bracing on Elderly Patients With Dysphagia

According to the National Cervical Spinal Cord Injury Statistical Center, 12,000 patients experience acute spinal cord injury (SCI) in the United States annually. It is reported that 16% to 55% of patients with a cervical spinal cord injury (SCI) present with dysphagia which compromises their ability to eat and drink safely as well as their quality of life. Based on previous research, Dysphagia can also result in respiratory complications, particularly pneumonia, which is the most common cause of death in cervical SCI patients. The contribution of swallowing impairment, and associated aspiration risks, to respiratory illnesses and mortality in patients with SCI are unknown. As a first step, the investigators will identify the nature (type of swallowing impairment such as swallow delay, pharyngeal residue, penetration or aspiration) and frequency of occurrence of swallowing impairments in elderly patients with injury to the cervical spinal region. Further, the investigators will determine the effects of standard medical care, specifically, surgical bracing, on swallow function in patients post-cervical SCI.

Patients with SCI present with a range of impairments in the oral and pharyngeal phases of the swallow. These result both from the effects of trauma and medical/surgical management of injury on anatomy and physiology of the swallow mechanism. Earlier studies postulate that Acute SCI can result in reduced base of tongue movement, delayed pharyngeal swallow response, decreased hyolaryngeal excursion with subsequent decrease in cricopharyngeal opening, and pharyngeal wall dysfunction. These swallowing impairments are particularly devastating in older patients who lack the functional reserve to overcome these neuroanatomical insults. Consequently, there is an increased prevalence of dysphagia in the elderly patients with SCI.

Medical and surgical management of SCI can also negatively impact swallow function. Many patients will require neck immobilization following injury. Neck extension, chin or head retraction secondary to cervical bracing may increase the risk or severity of dysphagia by changing the mechanics of swallowing. In addition, fixation at a ninety-degree angle limits the natural flexion or range of movement a patient employs during deglutition. Studies have found that cervical orthoses impacts swallowing physiology in healthy adults. An earlier study reported changes in point of initiation of the swallow, laryngeal penetration, pharyngeal residue and hyoid bone movement. One would expect changes to be more significant in patients with dysphagia, and likely more remarkable in the elderly population who unfortunately, have the highest incidence of cervical SCI. Given the risk factors for dysphagia and pulmonary complications in this population, it is imperative that thorough evaluation of oral-pharyngeal swallow function be completed. However, there is little research addressing the impact of cervical bracing on patients with dysphagia at any age. The study team here aims to determine if cervical bracing contributes to severity of dysphagia.