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Sequential Swallowing of Liquid in Elderly Adults: Cup or Straw?

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Abstract

This article describes the study of the characteristics of sequential swallowing of 100 ml of liquid (dyed water) in two swallowing trials, directly from a cup and through a straw, in healthy elderly individuals. The aim of the study was to determine whether differences in the swallowing pattern are influenced by the type of utensil used. The subjects were subjected to clinical assessment and fiberoptic endoscopic evaluation of swallowing. The research found that intake from the cup showed a significantly lower median as regards time to drink the total volume. The final intake volume was significantly larger from the cup. A statistically significant difference was found in the oral spillage of liquid, which was notably higher in the cup trial. Despite the presence of residue in the valleculae and pyriform sinuses, in neither trial was there penetration or aspiration of liquid. The straw has a favorable influence on the quality of the sequential swallowing of liquid in regard to bolus containment within the oral cavity, which was better with that utensil. The cup provides a higher final volume in a shorter time for intake but there is more fluid spillage.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Street Cabo Geraldo Calderaro, 75, Block 2, 303 – Freguesia, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, 22770-290, Brazil

    Helena Perrut Veiga

  2. University Veiga de Almeida, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil

    Helena Perrut Veiga & Esther Mandelbaum Gonçalves Bianchini

  3. Department of Otolaryngology, Brazilian Air Force Central Hospital, Street Barão de Itapagipe, 167, 4º floor – Rio Comprido, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil

    Helius Vinicius Fonseca

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  1. Helena Perrut Veiga
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  2. Helius Vinicius Fonseca
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  3. Esther Mandelbaum Gonçalves Bianchini
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Correspondence to Helena Perrut Veiga.

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Veiga, H.P., Fonseca, H.V. & Bianchini, E.M.G. Sequential Swallowing of Liquid in Elderly Adults: Cup or Straw?. Dysphagia 29, 249–255 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00455-013-9503-8

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00455-013-9503-8

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