Temporal and Biomechanical Measurements of Upper Esophageal Sphincter (UES) Opening in Normal Swallowing

§ Correspondence to Prof. Youngsun Kim, PhD, CCC-SLP School of Hearing, Speech and Language Sciences, College of Health and Human Services Ohio University, Grover Center W218 Athens, OH45701-2979 e-mail: [email protected] tel.: +1 740 593 0309 Background & Objectives: The purpose of this study was to examine the temporal and biomechanical differences of duration and width of the UES opening among people of different ages and genders during normal swallowing. Methods: Videotapes of videofluoroscopic swallowing examinations (VFSEs) of 69 normal subjects were analyzed. Results: Results yielded a significant effect for age between younger and older subjects for both duration of UES opening (DUESO) and maximum width of UES opening (MWUESO) (p < .01). No gender differences were observed. Discussion & Conclusion: These differences may be related to muscle weakness with aging. However, older subjects did not show aspiration. These normal data of UES opening will be used for comparisons with stroke patients who exhibit aspiration in future research. (Korean Journal of Communication Disorders 2009;14;109-116)