Extraction of average neck flexion angle during swallowing in neutral and chin-tuck positions

Delbert Hung,Catriona M Steele,Tom Chau,Ervin Sejdić

doi:10.1186/1475-925x-8-25

Abstract

BackgroundA common but debated technique in the management of swallowing difficulties is the chin tuck swallow, where the neck is flexed forward prior to swallowing. Natural variations in chin tuck angles across individuals may contribute to the differential effectiveness of the technique.MethodologyTo facilitate the study of chin tuck angle variations, we present a template tracking algorithm that automatically extracts neck angles from sagittal videos of individuals performing chin tuck swallows. Three yellow markers geometrically arranged on a pair of dark visors were used as tracking cues.ResultsThe algorithm was applied to data collected from 178 healthy participants during neutral and chin tuck position swallows. Our analyses revealed no major influences of body mass index and age on neck flexion angles during swallowing, while gender influenced the average neck angle only during wet swallows in the neutral position. Chin tuck angles seem to be independent of anthropometry and gender in healthy adults, but deserve further study in pathological populations.ConclusionThe proposed neck flexion angle extraction algorithm may be useful in future studies where strict participant compliance to swallowing task protocol can be assured.

Highlights

Dysphagia is the umbrella term used to describe a large range of swallowing difficulties
The algorithm was applied to data collected from 178 healthy participants during neutral and chin tuck position swallows
Our analyses revealed no major influences of body mass index and age on neck flexion angles during swallowing, while gender influenced the average neck angle only during wet swallows in the neutral position

Summary

Introduction

Dysphagia is the umbrella term used to describe a large range of swallowing difficulties. Most of these difficulties arise from insults to motor or sensory pathways to the brain, which can be the result of congenital neurological conditions [1] or acute stroke [2]. Patients with oral phase dysphagia often complain of difficulties handling the bolus in the oral cavity, indicative of neurological deficiencies in voluntary control of the tongue or jaw. These patients often succeed in swallows if the pharyngeal stage can be triggered using compensatory maneuvers. Natural variations in chin tuck angles across individuals may contribute to the differential effectiveness of the technique

Methods

Results

Conclusion