Effects of a Dual Swallow-Attention Task on Swallow and Cognitive Performance Measures

Abstract

Research evidence has mounted that cognitive distracters can be detrimental to concurrent motor performance. Yet, few investigations have probed how cognitive distracters might impact dysphagia (swallowing impairment) though secondary tasks, like watching television, now compete with swallowing in a 21st-century lifestyle. Accordingly, we sought to determine whether cognitive distracters while swallowing alter swallowing or cognitive performance among healthy young adults. Participants were 30 healthy volunteers 18-24 years of age who underwent a baseline swallow task (BST), a baseline cognitive task (BCT), and a dual task (DT) in randomized order. The BST consisted of consuming 100 mL of (a) luke warm water (LWW) and (b) carbonated sweet water (CSW). The BCT involved pressing a key to indicate speed or reaction time for completing a number recognition task. In the DT condition, swallow and cognitive tasks were performed concurrently. Volume/swallow (V/S), time/swallow (T/S), and swallow capacity (SC) indices were derived for the swallow task and reaction time in milliseconds reflected cognitive task performance. On comparison between baseline and the DT condition, there was a decrease in V/S, increase in T/S, and an overall reduction in SC across LWW and CSW. Moreover, there was a slower cognitive reaction time in the DT condition. A significant repeated measures of ANOVA difference was noted between baseline and DT conditions ( p < .001). We conclude that swallowing should not be done in the presence of cognitively distracters.

Effects of cognitive and motor dual-tasks on oropharyngeal swallowing assessed with FEES in healthy individuals

“…Dodderi et al investigated the effect of a number recognition task on clinical swallowing parameters. They reported decreased volume and increased time per swallow as sign for less efficient swallowing besides decreased reaction time during the number recognition task 49 . Daniels et al applied a dual-task paradigm to examine the cortical lateralisation of swallowing 50 .…”

Effects of Carbonation on Swallowing: Systematic Review and Meta‐Analysis

“…21 Pharyngeal retention for carbonated liquids was similar to that of water. 32 The effects of carbonated liquids determined by timerelated objective readouts are shown in Table 3, including swallowing time, 17 reaction time, 20,22 pharyngeal transit time, 15,24,25,32 oral transit time, 32 swallowing apnea duration, 16,31 pharyngeal reaction time, 30 duration of hyolaryngeal elevation, 21 duration of laryngeal elevation, 30 and duration of upper esophageal sphincter pressure opening. 23 The effects of the carbonated liquids were not consistent with the swallowing reaction time and pharyngeal transit time.…”

“…MEP = motor-evoked potential; TMS = transcranial magnetic stimulation. 17 (in the dual task condition) Dodderi et al 17 (in the baseline task condition)…”

Effect of cognitive and motor dual‐task on oropharyngeal swallowing in Parkinson's disease

“…Reynolds et al reported an increase of drooling frequency and a decrease of swallowing in PD patients during dual‐task and conclude that drooling during distraction may be associated with impairment of swallowing frequency [52]. Dodderi et al reported decreased volume and increased time per swallow during a cognitive number recognition task [53]. Daniels et al used a line orientation as typically right hemispheric task, a language as typically left hemispheric task and similarly to this study a right‐ and left‐hand motor dual‐task with finger tapping.…”