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Noninvasive Treatment Strategy for Swallowing Problems Related to Prolonged Nonoral Feeding in Spinal Muscular Atrophy Type II

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Abstract

A 25-year-old patient with spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) type II was referred due to swallowing problems related to prolonged nonoral feeding. Restriction of jaw movement, neck stiffness, absence of oral food intake, and weakness of the oropharyngeal and laryngeal muscles were considered to be the main factors contributing to the deterioration of his swallowing function. Treatment comprised exercises to improve flexibility of the neck and temporomandibular joint, tactile oral stimulation, passive and active oropharyngolaryngeal exercises, and supraglottic swallowing maneuvers. Treatment was performed for 30 min per day, three times a week, for 7 months. On initial videofluoroscopic examination, the patient was unable to safely tolerate any per-oral nutrition. After 7 months of treatment, the patient’s swallowing function had improved to the extent that he was able to resume oral intake of food under supervision, and aspiration was no longer evident. These findings suggest that noninvasive treatment is a possible strategy for enhancing the swallowing function of a patient with SMA type II presenting with swallowing difficulties related to prolonged nonoral feeding.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Occupational Therapy, Gangnam Severance Hospital, Yonsei University, 712 Eonjuro (146-92), Gangnam-gu, Seoul, 135-720, Republic of Korea

    Tae-Hyun Cha

  2. Department of Physical Therapy, College of Health and Sports Science, Daejeon University, 96-3, Yongun-dong, Dong-gu, Daejeon, 300-716, Republic of Korea

    Duck-Won Oh

  3. Department of Physical Therapy, Division of Health Science, Baekseok University, 115, Anseong-dong, Dongnam-gu, Cheonan-si, Chungcheongnam-do, 330-704, Republic of Korea

    Jae-Hun Shim

Authors
  1. Tae-Hyun Cha
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  2. Duck-Won Oh
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  3. Jae-Hun Shim
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Correspondence to Duck-Won Oh.

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Gangnam Severance Hospital is the name of the institution where the work was performed.

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Cha, TH., Oh, DW. & Shim, JH. Noninvasive Treatment Strategy for Swallowing Problems Related to Prolonged Nonoral Feeding in Spinal Muscular Atrophy Type II. Dysphagia 25, 261–264 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00455-009-9269-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00455-009-9269-1

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