Comparing speech therapy evaluation, nasolaringoscopy and videofluoroscopy in elderly

Abstract

This study had the objective of, comparing speech therapy evaluation, nasolaringoscopy and videofluoroscopy, analyzing whether modifications occured in the swallowing of elderly people. Twelve women between 60 and 80 years old without swallowing difficulties were selected. We observed that aging is the cause of certain modifications and adaptations in the swallowing pattern. The elder had much lower esophageal motility than the younger. We concluded that the exams were, in fact, very important because of each particularity in order to understand the swallowing modifications occurred in elderly patients.