Otolaryngology--head and neck surgery : official journal of American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery
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Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg · Nov 2004
ReviewSurface electromyographic studies of swallowing in normal subjects: a review of 440 adults. Report 2. Quantitative data: amplitude measures.
Surface electromyographic (EMG) studies were performed on 420 normal adults to establish normative database for muscle activity's amplitude during swallowing and drinking clinically useful for ENT department. ⋯ In single swallow tests range of electric activity of involved muscles is more informative than its mean. In the continuous drinking test, the mean electric activity is the only electric variance that can be evaluated. Orbicularis oris muscle activity is not important when reflex phase of a swallow is evaluated. Surface EMG of swallowing is a simple and reliable method for evaluation of swallowing with a low level of discomfort during the examination. The method can be easily used in outpatient ENT departments for quick evaluation of patients. The normative amplitude data can be used for comparison purposes in preoperaive and postoperative stages and in EMG monitoring during ENT treatment.