Effect of IQoro^R training in hiatal hernia patients with misdirected swallowing and esophageal retention symptoms

Abstract

Conclusion: Misdirected swallowing can be triggered by esophageal retention and hiatal incompetence. The results show that oral IQoro^R screen (IQS) training improves misdirected swallowing, hoarseness, cough, esophageal retention, and globus symptoms in patients with hiatal hernia. Objectives: The present study investigated whether muscle training with an IQS influences symptoms of misdirected swallowing and esophageal retention in patients with hiatal hernia. Methods: A total of 28 adult patients with hiatal hernia suffering from misdirected swallowing and esophageal retention symptoms for more than 1 year before entry to the study were evaluated before and after training with an IQS. The patients had to fill out a questionnaire regarding symptoms of misdirected swallowing, hoarseness, cough, esophageal retention, and suprasternal globus, which were scored from 0–3, and a VAS on the ability to swallow food. The effect of IQS traction on diaphragmatic hiatus (DH) pressure was recorded in 12 patients with hiatal hernia using high resolution manometry (HRM). Results: Upon entry into the study, misdirected swallowing, globus sensation, and esophageal retention symptoms were present in all 28 patients, hoarseness in 79%, and cough in 86%. Significant improvement was found for all symptoms after oral IQS training (p < 0.001). Traction with an IQS resulted in a 65 mmHg increase in the mean HRM pressure of the DH.

Keywords:

• Cough
• dysphagia
• esophagus
• globus
• hoarseness
• hiatal incompetence
• manometry
• muscle training
• lip force
• swallowing capacity test

Acknowledgments

This work was supported by grants from The Centre for Research & Development, Uppsala University/County Council of Gävleborg, Gävle, Sweden, and The Council for Regional Research in Uppsala and Örebro region, Sweden. Biostatistician Lisa Wernroth, Uppsala Clinical Research Centre (UCR), was responsible for statistical analyses.

Declaration of interest: The medical device IQoro^R is patented by Mary Hägg. The authors report no conflicts of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of the paper.