Oropharyngeal Transition during Swallowing between Stroke and Head and Neck Cancer Survivors

1. Abstract 1.1. Objective: The purpose of this study was to analyze three oropharyngeal bolus transition timings, Oral Transition Time (OTT), Pharyngeal Transition Time (PTT), and Duration of Upper Esophageal Sphincter Opening (DUESO), using videofluoroscopic swal lowing examinations (VFSEs) between stroke survivors and head and neck cancer survivors to determine differences between the two populations. 1.2. Methods: Means and standard deviations of OTT, PTT, and DUESO were determined from analyzing two 5ml thin liquid swallows exhibited by each of the 15 stroke survivors and 15 head and neck cancer survivors from the VFSEs. Statistical analyses were made using one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) using the two groups with the statistical level set at p < .05.