Evaluation of Swallowing Kinematics and Suprahyoid Muscle Activation During Masako, Mendelsohn Maneuvers and Mouth Open Swallowing Maneuver

Swallowing disorder can result in aspiration pneumonia, dehydration, malnutrition and even death. Therefore, it is a condition that needs to be detected, prevented and/or treated at an early stage. In the rehabilitation process of swallowing disorders, many exercise approaches are used, as well as compensatory postures and maneuvers. In addition to creating compensation and increasing swallowing muscle strength, the maneuvers used also change the temporal parameters associated with swallowing, such as delay in the swallowing reflex and time to close the airway.

Mendelson maneuver and Masako maneuver are the most commonly used swallowing maneuvers in swallowing rehabilitation. During the Mendelson maneuver, the patient is asked to voluntarily hold larynx when larynx is elevated. Masako maneuver is swallowing with tongue positioned between anterior teeth. Mouth Open Swallowing Maneuver is new-designed exercise. 10 mm wedge is comfortably positioned on the molar teeth and patient is asked to swallow in this way. We think that the explosive force that occurs more hyolaryngeal displacement than normal swallowing. Therefore, The targets of all three exercises in the swallowing physiology is different. It is important to investigate the effects of all three exercises on swallowing physiology in order to determine a patient-specific rehabilitation program and develop new techniques.