Comparative Review of Techniques for Recording Respiratory Events at Rest and during Deglutition

Abstract

The coordination between swallowing and respiration is essential for safe feeding, and noninvasive feeding-respiratory instrumentation has been used in feeding and dysphagia assessment. Sometimes there are differences of interpretation of the data produced by the various respiratory monitoring techniques, some of which may be inappropriate for observing the rapid respiratory events associated with deglutition. Following a review of each of the main techniques employed for recording resting, pre-feeding, feeding, and post-feeding respiration on different subject groups (infants, children, and adults), a critical comparison of the methods is illustrated by simultaneous recordings from various respiratory transducers. As a result, a minimal combination of instruments is recommended which can provide the necessary respiratory information for routine feeding assessments in a clinical environment.

Effects of Age, Gender, Bolus Volume, and Trial on Swallowing Apnea Duration and Swallow/Respiratory Phase Relationships of Normal Adults

“…The nasal thermistor would provide similar advantages and disadvantages as the nasal cannula since it is typically placed at the nares entrance. The temperature mode thermistor transduced tracing, however, may demonstrate an increase in temperature during a period of no nasal airflow secondary to warming to body temperature [30].…”

“…Given the advantages and disadvantages of the various techniques for recording respiratory events, the nasal cannula has been recommended and was used to record nasal airflow and SAD in this study [30].…”

Breathing and Swallowing Dynamics Across the Adult Lifespan

“…18,19,27 The nasal airflow signal correlates well with recordings of rib cage and abdominal wall displacement during breathing 18,27 and has become the recommended technique for track- ing respiratory-related airflow during swallowing. 66 Further, we found that respiratory activity and videofluoroscopic swallowing signals can be synchronized and measured reliably using commercially available equipment during liquid swallowing. 19 The results of the current study point to the ease and accuracy of using a combined nasal airflow and swallowing recording system that accommodates most fluoroscopy units and suites.…”

Computerised acoustical respiratory phase detection without airflow measurement

“…THE DETERMINATION of respiratory phases (inspiration and expiration) in relation to swallowing is integral to the study of the maturity and competence of the swallowing mechanism (SELLEY et al, 1994;TARRANT et al, 1997). During acoustical monitoring of swallowing, the respiratory phases may be determined by direct measurement of airflow using a pneumotachograph, nasal cannulae connected to a pressure transducer, heated thermistor anemometry, or by indirect means, i.e.…”

“…During acoustical monitoring of swallowing, the respiratory phases may be determined by direct measurement of airflow using a pneumotachograph, nasal cannulae connected to a pressure transducer, heated thermistor anemometry, or by indirect means, i.e. detection of chest and/or abdominal movements using respiratory inductance plethysmography (RIP), strain gauges or magnetometers (TARRANT et al, 1997). The combined use of nasal cannulae connected to a pressure transducer in addition to measurement of respiratory inductance to follow volume changes has been recommended as the best approach in assessing respiratory and swallowing patterns (TARRANT et al, 1997).…”