Interactive computer program for biomechanical analysis of videoradiographic studies of swallowing

Measurement of movements of oral pharyngeal structures from videoradiographic studies is extremely time-consuming and difficult. Each video frame must be traced, and specific points of interest must be identified. Measurements from a single frame can take 30-60 min, making such analyses infeasible. To facilitate the biomechanical analysis of the pharyngeal swallow, the Video Analysis Laboratory at Northwestern University, Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders, developed an interactive computer program to digitize, enhance, and plot the movement of anatomic structures in the oral cavity and pharynx from the onset through the termination of the swallow. This report describes the application of this program to the biomechanical analyses of swallowing.