Author

Nesanet Girma

Date of Award

2006

Degree Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science

Program

Communication Sciences and Disorders

Supervisor

Dr. Ruth Martin,

Abstract

The current study sought to compare the effects of air-pulse stimulation of the anterior oral cavity and air-pulse stimulation of the posterior oropharynx on the frequency of saliva swallowing. Swallows were recorded in sixteen young healthy female subjects as they received the anterior and posterior air-pulse applications. Results indicated that the number of saliva swallows associated with anterior and posterior oral cavity air-pulse stimulation were not significantly different. However, stimulation of the anterior site produced a slightly greater mean frequency of saliva swallows than posterior site stimulation. These results suggest that sensory stimulation of the anterior or posterior oral cavity may facilitate swallowing. Future studies involving larger subject samples are required to determine whether anterior and posterior oral cavity air-pulse stimulation have differential effects on swallowing.

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