Investigation of the relationship between head and neck proprioception and severity of dysphagia in patients with neurogenic dysphagia.

The aim of this study was to examine the relationship between head and neck proprioception and dysphagia severity in patients with neurogenic dysphagia. 26 patients with neurological diagnosis were included in the study. Dysphagia severity of the patients was determined according to the Penetration Aspiration Scale (PAS) which was scored according to the result of the Modified Barium Swallowing Study. Patients were divided into two groups according to PAS as with dysphagia (n=15) and without dysphagia (n=11). Patients' range of motion (ROM) and muscle strength of neck were measured. Proprioception measurement of cervical region was performed with a laser marker placed on the head of the patients, and the deviation from the middle target was noted in centimeters. Fremantle neck awareness questionnaire was used to determine head and neck awareness. There was no difference between groups in terms of gender, age, height, weight, diagnosis, ROM and muscle strength of neck (p>0.05). A moderate positive correlation was found between dysphagia severity and the proprioception results of neck flexion, extension, and left rotation (r=0.48, p=0.01; r=0.58, p=0.002; r=0.42, p=0.02, respectively,). There was a statistically significant difference in proprioception measurements of neck flexion, extension and left rotation between groups (p<0.05). No relationship was found between dysphagia severity and neck awareness (p=0.72). The groups were similar in terms of neck awareness (p=0.65). As a result; it was thought that head and neck proprioception is affected in patients with neurogenic dysphagia, and head and neck proprioception should be considered in dysphagia management.