Biomechanical measurements to characterize the oral phase of dysphagia.

Dysphagia is a disorder of the swallowing mechanism and presents a major problem in the rehabilitation of stroke patients and head injured patients. The authors have identified several biomechanical parameters that characterize the oral musculature and have developed techniques to quantify these parameters in normal and dysphagic patients. These parameters include lip closure pressure, lip interface shear force, tongue thrust, and swallow pressure. Significant differences were found in each of these parameters measured in normal and dysphagic patients. The quantitative measurements may aid the physician in choosing the appropriate therapy during the course of recovery.