Effects of music therapy on involuntary swallowing

Abstract

The present study was a pilot study concerning the effects of standard music therapy (MT) on involuntary swallowing movement. Swallowing movement was monitored in 10 elderly patients with brain disorders, who were inpatients requiring daily support for mobility and feeding. Swallowing movements were recorded using a pair of surface electrodes placed on the thyroid cartilage and chin. The electromyography (EMG) signals were transferred through a wireless amplifier. A swallowing movement was identified as short-polyphasic EMG bursts followed by slow waves. MT was conventionally provided for approximately 40 minutes, which included an introductory phase, songs and singing with patients, as well as rhythmic activities. The number of swallowing movements significantly increased during MT compared with the resting condition before MT (p < 0.001). A histogram of swallowing movements revealed that the swallowing rate was increased during the singing session in MT, although the patients did not sing during the session. We considered that MT was effective for disabled patients to facilitate involuntary swallowing, which is an important factor to prevent aspiration pneumonia.

Keywords:

• dysphagia
• pneumonia
• disabled people
• complication
• singing