Non-invasive quantification of human swallowing using a simple motion tracking system

Abstract

The number of patients with dysphagia is rapidly increasing due to the ageing of the population. Therefore, the importance of objectively assessing swallowing function has received increasing attention. Videofluoroscopy and videoendoscopy are the standard clinical examinations for dysphagia, but these techniques are not suitable for daily use because of their invasiveness. Here, we aimed to develop a novel, non-invasive method for measuring swallowing function using a motion tracking system, the Kinect v2 sensor. Five males and five females with normal swallowing function participated in this study. We defined three mouth-related parameters and two larynx-related parameters and recorded data from 2.5 seconds before to 2.5 seconds after swallowing onset. Changes in mouth-related parameters were observed before swallowing and reached peak values at the time of swallowing. In contrast, larynx-related parameters showed little change before swallowing and reached peak values immediately after swallowing. This simple swallow tracking system (SSTS) successfully quantified the swallowing process from the oral phase to the laryngeal phase. This SSTS is non-invasive, wireless, easy to set up, and simultaneously measures the dynamics of swallowing from the mouth to the larynx. We propose the SSTS for use as a novel and non-invasive swallowing assessment tool in the clinic.

Motor and Sensory Cortical Processing of Neural Oscillatory Activities revealed by Human Swallowing using Intracranial Electrodes

“…In addition, we confirmed that the detected swallowing onset time was consistent with water swallowing, not saliva swallowing, using a video recorded by our newly developed simple swallow-tracking system (Hashimoto et al, 2018) (Supporting Fig. S1C).…”

“…S1A, S1B). Additionally, we confirmed that the changes in impedance and sounds corresponded to water swallowing by using the video captured by our simple swallow-tracking system (SSTS) (Hashimoto et al, 2018). We inserted swallowing triggers, which corresponded to the swallowing onset time, into the ECoG data.…”

“…The sampling rate of a laryngograph and a throat microphone was 24,000 Hz. We captured the motion of the participants at 30 frames per second (fps) with the motion-tracking system, which was newly developed by us using Kinect v2 (Microsoft, Redmond, Washington, USA ) (Hashimoto et al, 2018). The participants were seated facing Kinect v2, which was placed on a tripod at a distance of one meter, and their mouth and throat movements were captured.…”

“…S1C). The simultaneous recording of the EGG, microphone, and motion-tracking system enabled us to noninvasively monitor the swallowing movements (Hashimoto et al, 2018). The RGB camera of the Kinect v2 device enabled us to the detect time when the participants opened their mouths and when the water bolus was injected into the mouth.…”

The Swallowing Characteristics of Thickeners, Jellies and Yoghurt Observed Using an In Vitro Model

“…Dysphagia, characterised by a difficulty in swallowing, is a complication associated with several conditions, including stroke, dementia and neurological disorders [ 1 ]. An ageing population means there is an increased interest in this condition [ 2 , 3 ]. Without treatment, dysphagia can lead to food avoidance, particularly in the elderly, which may result in serious consequences such as nutritional and respiratory complications, and even death [ 4 , 5 ].…”