Investigation of the relationship between dysphagia severity and deep cervical flexor muscle strength and functional independence in patients with neurogenic dysphagia

This study was conducted to examine the relationship between dysphagia severity and deep cervical flexor (DCF) muscle strength and functional independence in patients with neurogenic dysphagia. Twenty-one patients with a diagnosis of neurological disease with a mean age of 53.05±10.27 years were included in the study. Patients whose demographic information was obtained were evaluated in terms of swallowing function, posture, DSF muscle strength and endurance, and functional independence. Penetration Aspiration Scale results which was scored according to the Modified Barium Swallowing Study were used for dysphagia severity. New York Posture Scale and head anterior tilt measurement for posture evaluation, cranio cervical flexion test for evaluation of DCF muscle strength, cranio cervical endurance test for evaluation of DCF endurance, timed up and go test (TUG) and functional independence scale (FIM) for evaluation of functional independence level were used. There was no corelation between dysphagia severity and New York Posture Scale and anterior tilt of the head (p>0,05). A significant moderate correlation was found between dysphagia severity and DSF activation score and performance index (r=- 0,57, p=0,01; r=-0,54, p=0,01; respectively). There was no correlation between dysphagia severity and DCF endurance (p= 0,30). While there was no correlation between dysphagia severity and TUG and FIM cognitive scores (p>0,05), a significant moderate correlation was found between FIM total and motor scores (r=- 0,61, p=0,00; r=-0,57, p=0,01; respectively). As a result, it was found that there was a relationship between dysphagia severity and DSF muscle strength and functional independence levels in patients with neurogenic dysphagia. According to the results, it was concluded that DSF muscle strength and functional independence are factors that should be considered in patients with neurogenic dysphagia, and holistic approaches are required in the evaluation and treatment of neurogenic dysphagia. Keywords: dysphagia; posture; neck muscles; functional independence