Submental transcutaneous electrical stimulation can impact the timing of laryngeal vestibule closure

Abstract

Understanding the mechanics and kinematics of how safe swallows occur has a critical role in mitigating the ramifications of dysphagia.Laryngeal vestibule closure (LVC) is the primary airway defensive mechanism in pharyngeal swallowing, during which the epiglottis tilts over the larynx and arytenoids and approximating the epiglottis petiole to close off the airway in a timely manner. 1,2 Two important LVC timing measures that are often impacted in patients with dysphagia are LVC duration (LVCd) and reaction time (LVCrt). 3 LVCrt reflects how quickly the laryngeal vestibule reacts to the presence of a bolus to shut off the airway after the swallow has been triggered,