Maximum tongue pressure and supra-hyoid muscle contraction during swallowing in users from 9 to 26 years old with Du¬chenne Muscular Dystrophy belonging to Teleton Coquimbo. Transversal Study

Abstract

Introduction: Dysphagia is a frequent alteration in Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD), due to the progressive loss of lingual strength and suprah- yodal musculature, generating hydration and nutrition complications. The objective is to describe the electrophysiological characteristics of the suprah­yoid muscle contraction during swallowing (sEMG), and the maximum tongue pressure in 17 users aged 9 to 26 years with a diagnosis of DMD belonging to Teleton Coquimbo. Materials (or patients) and Methods: Cross-sectional descriptive observational study. Swallowing was evaluated through sEMG, viscosity and volume test. In addition, maximum tongue pressure measurement was performed with the TPS-100 device. The sample was non-probabilistic and consisted of 17 male subjects aged 9 to 26 years with DMD. Results: The mean anterior and posterior maximum tongue pressure (MTP) was 38.9 kPa ± 11.4 (16.7-55.5) and 38.7 kPa ± 11.1 (18.7-56.8), respectively. The mean peak suprahyoid contraction with nectar viscosity was 145.7 ^v, 154.6 ^v and 178.6 ^v with volumes of 5, 10 and 20 ml, respectively. With water, the mean at 5, 10 and 20 ml volumes was 144.6 ^v, 152.6 ^v and 161.2 ^v, respectively. With Pudding, the mean was 202.3 ^v, 203.4 ^v and 215 ^v for the 5, 10 and 20 ml volumes, respectively. Conclusions: The sEMG and MTP value provides useful physiological information for the evaluation of swallowing in patients with DMD, warranting further comparative studies along these lines.