Methods: Two cerebrovascular disease patients (Female, 71 and 83y), one neurological disease patient (Female, 80y) and three head and neck cancer patients (Female, 69-78y) patients with dysphagia and disarthria voluntarily participated in this study. Lateral images of videofluorography of participants' mouth, pharynx and larynx before/after PAP wearing were obtained and individual swallowing rehabilitation by trained speech therapists and dental hygienists was performed. Visual image analyses for qualitative and quantitative evaluation (Yoshikawa et al., J. Gerontol. Med. Sci., 2005) was done.
Results: PAP wearing resulted in reduced oral residue and improved oropharyngeal transit time (p< 0.05). Tongue propulsion and tongue stabilization were also improved.
Conclusions: PAP wearing followed by conventional swallowing rehabilitation for reduced tongue movement might possibly improve swallowing function in dysphagia elderly patients with cerebrovascular and neurological diseases.