Determining Swallowing Biomechanics Underlying Modified Barium Swallow Impairment Profile Scoring Using Computational Analysis of Swallowing Mechanics

Brittany N. Krekeler*, Kate Davidson, Cagla Kantarcigil, William Pearson, Julie Blair, Bonnie Martin-Harris

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

2 Scopus citations

Abstract

Purpose: The elements of impaired swallowing biomechanics are visually assessed and scored by clinicians using a standardized and validated tool for assessing type and severity of physiological impairments using the Modified Barium Swallow Impairment Profile (MBSImP). However, the functional anatomical correlates that underly noted impairments using MBSImP scoring have not been measured. The purpose of this study was to determine whether differences in MBSImP component scores represent differences in underlying swallowing mechanics as measured by computational analysis of swallowing mechanics (CASM) to better define underlying mechanisms of impairment. Method: A retrospective analysis of modified barium swallow studies from physician-referred adult patients with dysphagia was scored using the MBSImP for laryngeal elevation, anterior hyoid excursion, epiglottic movement, pharyn-goesophageal segment opening, and tongue base retraction. A canonical vari-ate analysis (CVA) was performed to determine the movement of anatomical landmarks associated with MBSImP component scores using the CASM method. Mahalanobis distances (D) were then used to detect differences among MBSImP scores for each component assessed. Results: CVA showed significant differences (p < .0001) in Mahalanobis distance (D > 1) between MBSImP component scores of 0–1, 0–2, 0–3, or 0–4, as applicable, depending on the component. Discriminant function analyses revealed concomitant increase/worsening in MBSImP score with changes in anatomical positioning of structures. Conclusions: Ratings of swallowing impairment and physiology using the MBSImP have distinct biomechanical correlates with anatomical movements of swallowing. These data further demonstrate how swallowing mechanics are highly interrelated. Understanding these linkages between anatomical and physiological movement within impaired swallowing biomechanics is essential in more specific characterization and treatment of dysphagia. Supplemental Material: https://doi.org/10.23641/asha.20816788.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)3798-3808
Number of pages11
JournalJournal of Speech, Language, and Hearing Research
Volume65
Issue number10
DOIs
StatePublished - Oct 2022

Funding

This work was supported in part by National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders Grants 1R21DC010480-A1 and 2K24DC012801-0, awarded to Bonnie Martin-Harris. The authors would like to acknowledge Duncan Dorris III for efforts made on this project.

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Speech and Hearing
  • Language and Linguistics
  • Linguistics and Language

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Determining Swallowing Biomechanics Underlying Modified Barium Swallow Impairment Profile Scoring Using Computational Analysis of Swallowing Mechanics'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this