While previous research has shown that air-pulse stimulation of the oropharynx facilitates saliva swallowing in young adults, the effects of air pulses in older adults have not been examined
2009
Key concepts
Scholarcy highlights
- While previous research has shown that air-pulse stimulation of the oropharynx facilitates saliva swallowing in young adults, the effects of air pulses in older adults have not been examined
- This study sought to determine the effects of oropharyngeal air-pulse stimulation on saliva swallowing rates in 18 healthy older adults
- Saliva swallowing rates were monitored across six conditions: baseline without mouthpiece, baseline with mouthpiece in situ, unilateral right oropharyngeal stimulation, unilateral left oropharyngeal stimulation, bilateral oropharyngeal stimulation, and sham stimulation
- Results indicated that bilateral oropharyngeal air-pulse stimulation was associated with a statistically significant increase in mean saliva swallowing rate compared to baseline without mouthpiece, baseline with mouthpiece in situ, and sham stimulation
- Young adults reported an irrepressible urge to swallow in response to oropharyngeal air-pulse delivery, but the older adults in the current study did not perceive the air-pulse stimulation as being associated with swallowing or other behaviors
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