Effects of age, gender, bolus volume, and bolus viscosity on oropharyngeal pressure during swallowing

Abstract

Oropharyngeal pressure during swallowing was studied in a total of 40 healthy adult males and females in two age groups (21–27 yr and 62–75 yr). Effects of bolus volume, bolus viscosity, age, and gender were analyzed, and dry and bolus swallows were compared. The duration of the intrabolus pressure, reflecting the pressure exerted by the tongue on the bolus and preceding the generation of the pharyngeal pressure, was significantly affected by bolus volume. The duration of oropharyngeal pressure was affected by age, gender, and bolus type (bolus vs. dry swallow). Peak oropharyngeal pressure was not affected by any of the test factors, although there was a tendency for older subjects to have higher pressures than young subjects.