Relationship Between Swallowing Dynamics and Suprahyoid Muscle Activity in Sarcopenic Dysphagia

Measuring the muscle activity of the suprahyoid muscles presents a challenge due to their location, which is difficult to access. Despite this difficulty, surface Electromyography (sEMG) is an effective method for assessing the electrical activity of the suprahyoid muscles. sEMG is a non-invasive, portable, and cost-effective technique that records activity within the electrode detection area. It has been suggested as a diagnostic tool for identifying dysphagia. Several studies have demonstrated that specific patterns in the sEMG of suprahyoid muscles, including duration and amplitude, exhibit distinct characteristics attributable to various etiologies.

A previous study has examined the suprahyoid muscle activity patterns in sarcopenic dysphagia patients using sEMG. However, there was a lack of research analyzing the swallowing dynamics of sarcopenic dysphagia alongside Videofluoroscopic Swallowing Study (VFSS). VFSS enables the observation of swallowing in phases, offering a crucial method for assessing the presence of dysphagia and identifying the specific phases where dysphagia occurs.

Therefore, the present study aims to investigate the characteristics of sarcopenic dysphagia across phases using sEMG and VFSS. Additionally, Investigators aim to analyze the relationship between suprahyoid muscle activity patterns and swallowing dynamics utilizing these modalities.

Videofluoroscopic swallowing study (VFSS) will done for all participants to evaluate swallowing function. The VFSS procedure followed the Logemann protocol and will be supervised by a rehabilitation physician and an occupational therapist. Another physician will observe and score the test without having access to the patient's personal details.

During the VFSS, participants will seat upright in a chair, swallowing images of the lateral projection will be obtained from participants. The participants undergo swallowing trials with varying viscosities, including semiliquid, semisolid, solid, and thin liquids (2cc, 5cc, 10cc). All trials are mixed with an undiluted liquid barium solution, barium sulfate. During the procedure, participants will undergo progressively thicker food, starting from liquids and advancing to solid materials. Following the protocol, liquid 2 cubic centimeter (cc) trial will precede to the 5cc trial. If, the 2cc trial indicated aspiration and the physician determined there was a high risk for aspiration, next step of trial can be skipped and the VFSS will be stopped. If, a large amount of aspiration occurred, the VFSS will be halted, and the participant will encouraged to expectorate the food material.