Respiratory–Swallow Coordination in Healthy Adults During Drinking of Thin to Extremely Thick Liquids: A Research Note

PURPOSE: Respiratory–swallow coordination is vital for airway protection, preventing aspiration, or penetration of foreign material into the airway. With the implementation of the International Dysphagia Diet Standardization Initiative definitions for different liquid consistencies used in dysphagia management, it is important to establish whether respiratory–swallow coordination patterns differ across these consistencies. This study aimed to evaluate respiratory behaviors during swallowing across the spectrum from thin to extremely thick liquids in healthy adults less than 60 years of age. METHOD: Thirty healthy adults, aged 21–55 years, each consumed 54 naturally sized cup sips or spoonfuls of liquid stimuli prepared in thin, slightly thick, mildly thick, moderately thick, and extremely thick consistencies. Half of the stimuli were prepared using barium and half with a lemon-flavored water. Concurrent respiratory and swallowing pressure signals were collected to evaluate the respiratory phase pattern and pause duration associated with the swallow. RESULTS: An expiration–swallow–expiration pattern was the dominant respiratory phase pattern, observed in 92.7% of the trials, with no significant effect of consistency. Respiratory pause duration was found to be significantly shorter with barium stimuli (0.73 s) compared to nonbarium stimuli (0.78 s) (p < .001, Cohen's d = .2), with no notable effects based on the factors of sex or liquid consistency. CONCLUSIONS: In a convenience sample of healthy adults under the age of 60 years, consistent respiratory–swallow phasing and stable timing across the spectrum from thin to extremely thick liquids was observed. The data from this study can serve as preliminary reference data to which assessment information for individuals with dysphagia or respiratory challenges can be compared.