Faculty Collaboration Database

A randomized study comparing the Shaker exercise with traditional therapy: a preliminary study. Dysphagia 2009 Dec;24(4):403-11

Date

05/28/2009

Pubmed ID

19472007

Pubmed Central ID

PMC2895999

DOI

10.1007/s00455-009-9217-0

Scopus ID

2-s2.0-75949108198 (requires institutional sign-in at Scopus site)   108 Citations

Abstract

Seven institutions participated in this small clinical trial that included 19 patients who exhibited oropharyngeal dysphagia on videofluorography (VFG) involving the upper esophageal sphincter (UES) and who had a 3-month history of aspiration. All patients were randomized to either traditional swallowing therapy or the Shaker exercise for 6 weeks. Each patient received a modified barium swallow pre- and post-therapy, including two swallows each of 3 ml and 5 ml liquid barium and 3 ml barium pudding. Each videofluorographic study was sent to a central laboratory and digitized in order to measure hyoid and larynx movement as well as UES opening. Fourteen patients received both pre-and post-therapy VFG studies. There was significantly less aspiration post-therapy in patients in the Shaker group. Residue in the various oral and pharyngeal locations did not differ between the groups. With traditional therapy, there were several significant increases from pre- to post-therapy, including superior laryngeal movement and superior hyoid movement on 3-ml pudding swallows and anterior laryngeal movement on 3-ml liquid boluses, indicating significant improvement in swallowing physiology. After both types of therapy there is a significant increase in UES opening width on 3-ml paste swallows.

Author List

Logemann JA, Rademaker A, Pauloski BR, Kelly A, Stangl-McBreen C, Antinoja J, Grande B, Farquharson J, Kern M, Easterling C, Shaker R

Authors

Barbara R. Pauloski PhD, CCC-SLP Associate Professor in the Communication Sciences & Disorders department at University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee
Reza Shaker MD Assoc Provost, Sr Assoc Dean, Ctr Dir, Chief, Prof in the Medicine department at Medical College of Wisconsin

MESH terms used to index this publication - Major topics in bold

Adult
Aged
Aged, 80 and over
Deglutition
Deglutition Disorders
Exercise Therapy
Female
Fluoroscopy
Humans
Laryngeal Muscles
Male
Middle Aged
Movement
Muscle Strength
Pilot Projects
Treatment Outcome