Videofluoroscopic analysis of the laryngeal movement of older adults in swallowing.

Even without diseases that cause dysphagia, physiological swallowing function declines with age, increasing the risk of aspiration. This study analyzed age-related changes in laryngeal movement in older adults. The study population consisted of 10 volunteers in their 80s and six in their 20s. A videofluoroscopic study of 3 and 10 mL barium swallows was performed laterally using a digital fluorographic. The recorded images were retrieved to a personal computer and analyzed frame-by-frame using video analysis software. The movement of the larynx during swallowing, barium's pharyngeal transit time (PTT), and laryngeal elevation delay time (LEDT) were analyzed. Results were compared between the 20s and 80s age groups using statistical analyses. The PTT was shorter in the 20s than in the 80s age group. The PTT was significantly longer in the 80s group than in the 20s for both 3 and 10 mL barium swallows. LEDT in the 80s was statistically significantly longer than that in the 20s for the 10 ml barium. No statistically significant differences were found; however, there was a tendency for the 80s group to have more types of laryngeal movement velocity peaks. In this study, LEDT was prolonged in the 80s with 10 ml barium swallowing than in the 20s. Two peak patterns of laryngeal elevation during swallowing were observed. The velocity peaks showed a two-peak pattern when the patients were in their 80s and when the barium volume was tested at 10 mL. Our results suggest that aging's effect on swallowing relates to laryngeal elevation.