Pharyngeal Swallowing Function in Elderly Patients with Asymptomatic Lacunar Infarction:Surface Electromy-ography Study / 中国康复理论与实践

ABSTRACT

Objective To observe the surface electromyography (sEMG) characteristics of pharyngeal swallowing muscles in different swallowing modes in asymptomatic lacunar infarction (LI) patients. Methods From January, 2015 to January, 2017, a total of 32 asymptom-atic LI patients (LI group) aged over 60 years were consecutively collected, and 30 normal old subjects matched with age and gender (nor-mal group) were also enrolled. The amplitudes of sEMG activity of infrahyoid muscles and submental muscles in different swallowing modes were recorded, and the root mean square (RMS) was analyzed. Results Significant difference was found in both muscle groups in dif-ferent swallowing modes in both groups (F>110.67, P0.05). In the 20 ml water swallowing mode, the RMS was lower in the submental muscles in the LI group than in the normal group (t=3.334, P0.05). In the 100 ml continuous drinking mode, the RMSs were significantly lower in both two muscle groups in LI group than in the normal group (t>3.118, P<0.01). Conclusion Swallow abilities decrease in asymptomatic LI. sEMG could be used to evaluate their swallowing function.