Swallowing in Parkinson Patients versus Healthy Controls
Author Information
Author(s): Baijens Laura W. J., Speyer Renée, Passos Valéria Lima, Pilz Walmari, Roodenburg Nel, Clave Pere
Primary Institution: Maastricht University Medical Center
Hypothesis
The study aims to determine the reliability of swallowing measurements in videofluoroscopy between Parkinson patients and healthy controls.
Conclusion
Swallowing function seems to be preserved in the early stages of Parkinson's disease, but the reliability of many swallowing parameters is insufficient.
Supporting Evidence
- Swallowing abnormalities are common in Parkinson's disease, affecting 75-100% of patients.
- Patients with Parkinson's disease showed a significantly delayed velopharyngeal junction closure compared to healthy controls.
- Despite subjective complaints of dysphagia, swallowing function was found to be preserved in early stages.
Takeaway
The study looked at how well people with Parkinson's disease swallow compared to healthy people, and found that swallowing is mostly okay in early stages, but measuring it isn't very reliable.
Methodology
Ten Parkinson patients and ten healthy controls underwent a standardized videofluoroscopic swallowing protocol to assess swallowing function.
Potential Biases
The raters may have lacked consensus on definitions of some variables, which could introduce bias.
Limitations
The study had a small sample size and found insufficient reliability for many of the measured variables.
Participant Demographics
Ten patients with idiopathic Parkinson's disease (3 women, 7 men) aged 50 to 80 years, matched with healthy controls.
Statistical Information
P-Value
0.02
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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