Presenter(s): Eric Graboyes—Communication science and disorders
Co-Presenter(s): Carissa Hartmann, Natalie Hanson
Faculty Mentor(s): Samantha Shune
Session: Prerecorded Poster Presentation
Safe and efficient eating relies on the precise coordination of the respiratory and swallowing systems . It is necessary for the airway to be briefly closed during the swallow itself in order to prevent food/liquid from entering the lungs (aspiration) . Previous research has suggested that an exhale before and after the swallow is the most protective pattern . Yet, little is known about the effects of aging and sensory environment on these patterns . The purpose of the current study was to characterize the pre- and post-swallow respiratory patterns in older adults across different eating environments . A total of 18 older adults participated (age range 65-90; 11 females) . Participants consumed water (via straw) and applesauce (via spoon) under three different conditions: typical self-feeding, assisted feeding (being fed by someone else), and sensory loss assisted feeding (being fed by someone else while blindfolded) . Across all three conditions, exhalations prior to the swallow were commonly observed; 58-61% of swallows were preceded by an exhale across the three conditions . Inhales were most commonly observed after the swallow, with a trend for increasing percentages given increased sensory loss (59% self-feeding, 64%, assisted feeding, 71% blindfolded assisted feeding) . Future analyses will continue to explore the differences across conditions within the individual participants and differences across the consistency types (i .e ., water—drink and applesauce—eat) . These findings preliminarily support that various factors can influence respiratory- swallow coordination, potentially increasing risk during eating for older adults .