Relationship between lip motion detected with a compact 3D camera and swallowing dynamics during bolus flow swallowing in Japanese elderly men

Abstract

Clinical application of a swallowing function evaluation system that is minimally invasive and enables an objective evaluation is necessary. We constructed a system that can synchronise and analyse lip motion with a three‐dimensional (3D) camera and swallowing dynamics with videofluoroscopy (VF) and clarified the relationship between lip movement and swallowing dynamics. A compact 3D camera was adapted to Microsoft XBox One Kinect Sensor®. We examined Kinect's accuracy and repeatability and analysed the highest measurement accuracy and repeatability of the distance between anguli oris muscles. The constructed system simultaneously measured, synchronised and analysed lip motion by Kinect and swallowing dynamics by VF. Fourteen elderly men without dysphagia were included. Barium turbid solution (5, 10, 15 and 20 mL) was used for swallowing. Measurement parameters were the 3D distance between angulus oris displacement (TDDD), swallowing quantity (SQ), oral transit time (OTT), stage transit duration (STD), pharyngeal transit time (PTT) and total swallowing duration (TSD). Statistical analyses were performed. The measurement accuracy and reproducibility were optimum within a 10° horizontal imaging angle at a 120‐cm measurement distance. SQ, TDDD, OTT, STD, PTT and TSD showed significant differences, and correlation was found between TDDD and OTT. SQ affected TDDD, OTT, STD, PTT and TSD; OTT could be predicted from TDDD. Improvement in the system and analysis method was considered to enable prediction of swallowing dynamics from body surface movement of the head and neck, including realisation of measurement conditions with higher precision and reproducibility, and from lip motion.

Four‐dimensional assessment of facial expression before and after orthognathic surgery in skeletal Class III patients

“…It is important to point out the limitations of this study. Even though similar sample sizes have been reported in other studies, 1,16 it may be necessary to recruit and investigate more patients using the protocol of the present study. This may provide a better understanding of the relationship between clinical findings and motion.…”

“…12 As for the reproducibility of the measurement device used in this study, several papers have been reported so far. 10,13,14,16 In the study of 3D measurement, the reproducibility of measurement points has always been a subject of debate. However, the majority of the reports on the system and reproducibility in 3D measurement research are based on the measurement accuracy of the measuring instruments, and the measurement error is said to be within 0.3 mm due to the progress in the development of the measuring instruments.…”

“…Investigations into motor function and musculoskeletal health will require easily obtainable, valid, and reliable measures of gross motor function and kinematics 12 . As for the reproducibility of the measurement device used in this study, several papers have been reported so far 10,13,14,16 . In the study of 3D measurement, the reproducibility of measurement points has always been a subject of debate.…”

“…Studies assessing its use or its application for gait analysis in patients with neurological diseases have been increasing 13,14 . Furthermore, there are some reports of its use in the head and neck region as a minimally invasive evaluation of swallowing function, and the reliability of all of these applications is reasonable 15,16 . However, there are no reports on the evaluation of facial movement in patients with jaw deformities using the Kinect.…”

Three-dimensional video of facial surface synchronized with videofluoroscopic swallowing study

“…In any case, the soft tissue information on the fluoroscopic image is extremely unclear. Moreover, the movement of the facial surface, including the lips, affects the swallowing movement of the oral cavity and pharynx 8,9 . The VFSS is performed using an X-ray fluoroscopic unit that depicts bone and unclear soft tissue.…”