Acoustic Features of Airway Protective Maneuvers as Biomarkers of Radiation-Associated Dysphagia and Penetration/Aspiration in Head and Neck Cancer Patients.

Background: This study aimed at identifying acoustic features of airway protective maneuvers as biomarkers of radiation-associated dysphagia, involving penetration/aspiration and pharyngeal residue.

Methods: Temporal and spectral acoustical analyses were carried out on voluntary coughs, voluntary throat clearings, and reflexive coughs. Head and neck cancer patients with and without penetration/aspiration were compared. The same was done for patients and healthy controls.

Results: A decreased convexity of the amplitude contour and decreased salience of periodicity in the frequency band 0-400 Hz were observed in induced reflexive coughs of patients compared to healthy controls. A longer length and a less steep slope of the amplitude contour of voluntary throat clearings were observed in patients with penetration/aspiration versus those without.

Conclusions: Acoustic features of induced reflexive cough discriminate between patients and healthy controls, but do not relate to penetration/aspiration. However, acoustic features of voluntary throat clearing are associated with penetration/aspiration in head and neck cancer patients.