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- ItemSomente MetadadadosAnálise Da Interface Entre A Disfagia E As Implicações Nutricionais Nos Pacientes Com Doença Do Neurônio Motor(Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP), 2017-01-31) Alves, Percilia Cardoso Lopes [UNIFESP]; Oliveira, Acary Souza Bulle [UNIFESP]; Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP)Introduction: Amyotriphic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS)is a disease in which there is impairment of the lower and upper motor neurons and the Bulbar Progressive Palsy (BPP) of the lower motor neuron of the brainstem; Both are within the Motor Neuron Disease (MND) group. Muscle weakness is a common sign that can trigger dysphagia. Purpose: To analyze the interaction between dysphagia and nutritional implications in the patient with MND. Method: Through observational, transversal, analytical and prospectiveresearch, 59 patients were evaluated, being 42 (71.18%) with ALS (47.62% male and 52.38%, female) and 17 (28.82%) with BPP (7 (41.17%) male and 17 (58.83%) female. The patients underwent speech therapy and nutritional evaluation; moreover, have been applied: functional range of consistencies (FOIS), scales of functionality (ALSFRS-R and EGELA) and respiratory assessment (peak cough flow).Results: 100% of patients with BPP presented oral and pharyngeal phase changes, while patients with ALS had less changes in oral (66.67%) and pharyngeal phase (73.80%). In nutritional evaluation, malnutrition was observed in 35.71% of patients with ALS and 23.52% of the patients with BPP. 28% (ALS) and 41.17% (BPP) of the patients made use of enteral route.Conclusion: Dysphagia was present in all patients with diagnosis of BPP, relating to increased frequency of malnutrition. Body mass index and Protein Energy Malnutrition score showed correlation with ALSFRS-R functionality. There was correlation between body mass indexes, the scale of food consistency (FOIS) and the peak cough flow.
- ItemAcesso aberto (Open Access)Análise quantitativa da deglutição de parkinsonianos pré e pós-riboflavina(CEFAC Saúde e Educação, 2014-08-01) Silvério, Carolina Castelli [UNIFESP]; Coimbra, Cicero Galli [UNIFESP]; Chiari, Brasilia Maria [UNIFESP]; Lederman, Henrique Manoel [UNIFESP]; Gonçalves, Maria Inês Rebelo [UNIFESP]; Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP)Purposeto verify the quantitative changes in the swallowing dynamics in patients with Parkinson´s disease submitted to treatment with riboflavin, red meat and poultry removed during one year period. Methodsixteen patients with Parkinson´s disease participated in the study; the mean age was 67.25 years, the mean degree of disease severity was II to III, and the mean time since the diagnosis of the disease was 3.5 years. Videofluoroscopic evaluations were performed before and one year after treatment with riboflavin and diet with restriction of read meat and poultry. Analyzed werepresence of complaints related to swallowing and quantitative analyses of swallowing includind computerized measurements of hyoid bone and cricoid cartilage displacement, opening of the superior esophageal sphincter and pharyngeal constriction. Resultdecrease of complaints was observed after administration of riboflavin. About the quantitative measures after riboflavin, there were a increase in the opening of the superior esophageal sphincter for all consistencies offered, an increase in the pharyngeal constriction for the thickened liquid, a reduction in the hyoide bone displacement, and an increase or a reduction in the cricoid cartilage displacement for each consistency, with significant reduction for the liquid. Conclusionquantitative measurements made in the movement of organs associated with swallowing showed no significant differences between pre-and post-riboflavin, and red meat and poultry removed.
- ItemSomente MetadadadosAnálise quantitativa das fibras mielínicas dos nervos laríngeos em humanos de acordo com a idade(Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP), 2005) Tiago, Romualdo Suzano Louzeiro [UNIFESP]; Brasil, Osiris de Oliveira Campones do [UNIFESP]Objetivo: O objetivo foi realizar análise morfométrica das fibras mielínicas dos nervos laríngeos e do nervo hipoglosso direito com a finalidade de verificar modificações quantitativas decorrentes do processo de envelhecimento. Método: Foi coletado fragmento de 1 cm do nervo laríngeo superior (lados direito e esquerdo), nervo laríngeo recorrente (lados direito e esquerdo) e nervo hipoglosso do lado direito de 12 cadáveres do sexo masculino, sem antecedentes para doenças como: diabetes, alcoolismo, e neoplasia maligna. A amostra foi dividida em dois grupos: grupo com idade inferior a 60 anos, composto por seis cadáveres; grupo com idade igual ou superior a 60 anos, composto por seis cadáveres. O material foi fixado em solução de glutaraldeído 2,5 por cento e paraformaldeído 2 por cento; pós-fixado em tetróxido de ósmio; desidratado em concentrações crescentes de etanol e incluído em resina epóxi. Os blocos foram cortados em ultramicrótomo com navalhas de vidro, para obtenção de cortes semifinos de 0,3 μm de espessura, que foram colocados em lâmina de vidro, corados com azul de toluidina a 1 por cento e avaliados em microscópio de luz acoplado a sistema analisador de imagens. Os seguintes dados morfométricos foram quantificados: área de secção transversal intraperineural, número e o diâmetro das fibras mielínicas. Resultados: Para todos os parâmetros avaliados dos nervos laríngeos (área intraperineural, densidade de fibras mielínicas por mm2 e número total de fibras), não houve diferença entre os lados direito e esquerdo, nos dois grupos etários. A área intraperineural dos nervos laríngeos foi semelhante nos dois grupos etários; entretanto, a área intraperineural dos nervos laríngeos superiores foi maior que dos nervos laríngeos recorrentes (p<0,0001). O número total de fibras mielínicas do nervo laríngeo superior foi semelhante nos dois grupos etários (p=0,1188), mas com tendência para o maior número de fibras de 1 μm no grupo com idade inferior a 60 anos (p=0,0744). O grupo com idade inferior a 60 anos apresentou maior número total de fibras mielínicas no nervo laríngeo recorrente que o grupo idoso (p=0,0006), e esta diferença ocorreu nas fibras mielínicas com diâmetros de 1, 2 e 3 μm (p<0,007). Os nervos laríngeos superiores apresentaram maior número de fibras mielínicas que os nervos laríngeos recorrentes (p<0,0001). O grupo com idade inferior a 60 anos apresentou maior número total de fibras nos nervos laríngeos (soma das fibras dos nervos laríngeos superiores e dos nervos laríngeos recorrentes) que o grupo idoso (p<0,0091). Não houve diferença no número total de fibras mielínicas do nervo hipoglosso direito entre os dois grupos etários (p=0,9018). Conclusões: O número total de fibras mielínicas do nervo laríngeo recorrente é maior no grupo com idade inferior a 60 anos, e esta diferença ocorre nas fibras mielínicas de 1 μm a 3 μm de diâmetro. O grupo com idade inferior a 60 anos apresenta maior número total de fibras mielínicas nos nervos laríngeos. O número total de fibras mielínicas do nervo hipoglosso direito é semelhante nos dois grupos etários.
- ItemSomente MetadadadosAvaliação histomorfométrica do nervo laríngeo superior: estudo comparativo em adultos e idoso(Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP), 2001) Tiago, Romualdo Suzano Louzeiro [UNIFESP]; Guilherme, Arnaldo [UNIFESP]A laringe desempenha funçoes primordiais para a manutençao da vida do indivíduo e as suas principais funçoes sao a proteçao das vias aéreas, a respiraçao e a fonaçao. A perfeita integraçao entre as suas vias aferentes (sensibilidade) e eferentes (motora), proporcionada pelo nervo laríngeo superior e pelo nervo laríngeo recorrente, evita a aspiraçao de corpos estranhos e através de reflexos desencadeados pela movimentaçao da onda mucosa mantém o tônus da musculatura intrínseca da laringe. Distúrbios ou alteraçoes nessas vias neurais podem predispor à aspiraçao de corpos estranhos e pneumonias, bem como podem ser responsáveis por alteraçoes na voz do indivíduo; condiçoes estas mais freqüentes no idoso. O objetivo deste trabalho é avaliar as características histomorfométricas do nervo laríngeo superior em indivíduos idosos e compará-las com aquelas de indivíduos adultos para identificar dados morfológicos que possam justificar as alteraçoes mais freqüentemente encontradas em idosos, como diminuiçao da sensibilidade da laringe é alteraçoes de voz. Um fragmento desse nervo dos lados direito e esquerdo foi obtido a partir de cadáveres durante o exame de necropsia. Foram montados dois grupos de diferentes faixas etárias. Um grupo denominado Adulto composto por cinco indivíduos com média etária de 39,6 anos e um grupo Idoso composto por seis indivíduos com média etária de 71,7 anos. Excluímos, durante a composiçao da amostra, indivíduos com maior predisposiçao à polineuropatia periférica como diabéticos, alcoólatras e portadores de neoplasia. A avaliaçao do material foi realizada em microscópio de luz com objetiva de 40x, ligado a um sistema analisador de imagens computadorizado e foram obtidos os principais parâmetros relacionados ao nervo: freqüência das fibras mielínicas, densidade de fibras por mm2 e área intraperineural_(au).
- ItemSomente MetadadadosDistância base de língua - parede posterior da faringe, aspiração laringotraqueal e resíduos faríngeos pós acidente vascular cerebral(Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP), 2021) Zica, Guilherme Maia [UNIFESP]; Goncalves, Maria Ines Rebelo [UNIFESP]; Universidade Federal de São PauloObjective: To investigate the association between base tongue-posterior pharyngeal wall distance (BT-PPW) at rest with supraglottic penetration, laryngotracheal aspiration and pharyngeal residues in individuals after stroke. Method: Descriptive, cross-sectional and retrospective study of swallowing videofluoroscopy exams in 56 patients with medical diagnosis of stroke and a control group with 84 individuals. The distance between the base of the tongue and the posterior wall of the pharynx at rest was measured using the Image J program. The measure found was correlated with the sociodemographic characteristics and the clinical findings of swallowing. Results: Regarding the BT-PPW measures, statistical significance was observed in relation to gender; male patients had greater distance means than female patients (M>F). Regarding the BT-PPW measures, statistical significance was observed in relation to age; being that elderly patients had greater distance means than adult patients (elderly>adults). Conclusions: Male patients had significantly greater distance means than female patients (M>F). Elderly patients had significantly higher mean distances than adult patients (elderly>adults). There were no statistically significant correlations in relation to the BT-PPW distance with the swallowing findings (penetration, aspiration and residues).
- ItemSomente MetadadadosHistória natural da deglutição e linguagem na Mucopolissacaridose II(Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP), 2010-02-24) Ferreira, Ana Carolina Rocha Gomes [UNIFESP]; Guedes, Zelita Caldeira Ferreira [UNIFESP]; Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP)Purpose: To analyze the evolution of language and swallowing alterations of patients diagnosed with mucopolysaccharidosis type II after one year of the first assessment, and to observe the influence of the variables age, severity of the disease and impairment of breathing. Methods: Seven patients with mucopolysaccharidosis II, two with light type and five with severe type, all of them recorded at the Genetics Departament of the UNCISAL. Patients under enzyme replacement therapy and/or alternative feeding were excluded. Data collection was divided into two stages: the first one from December 2007 to January 2008, and the second one was reapplied after one year. The aspects of receptive-hearing language of the Peabody test, and the pragmantic aspect following ABFW test were evaluated. After that, it was applied the face anthropometric protocol, and realized speech pathology clinical evaluation. The swallowing evaluation focused on dysphagia using the clinical and fiberoptic endoscopic examination. After these evaluations,the patients were classified according to the Commitment Functional Scale of Swallowing after fiberoptic endoscopic examination and the Functional Oral Intake Scale – FOIS. Results: All patients showed impairment in face anthropometric and phonoarticulatory organs and the functions of the stomatognathic system. There was no statistically significant difference between the evaluations considering the period of time, except for the lower lip. Swallowing evaluation showed that two of the severe type and three of light type presented dysphagia with impact on oral feeding, with negative variation in the results after one year on the Fois scale for the light type. All showed impairment regarding language with more severe impairment in the severe type. Regarding correlation between variables it was observed worsening of the respiratory changes, of the level of Fois scale and improvement of the respiratory impact positively on VED, and weak positive correlation between pragmatic and receptive vocabulary. The second assessment showed only a weak negative correlation between breathing and the level of the Fois scale. Conclusions: 1. There was significant change in pragmatic language and receptive vocabulary among severe and light type in both evaluations. 2. Swallowing had negative impact on oral feeding, with indication of non oral food ingestion in severe type; the light type showed minor variations regarding oral feeding. 3. There was no evidence of positive or negative correlation between language and swallowing after one year, but there was a correlation between worsening of breathing and swallowing.
- ItemAcesso aberto (Open Access)Ingesta oral do paciente hospitalizado com disfagia orofaríngea neurogênica(CEFAC Saúde e Educação, 2010-12-01) Silvério, Carolina Castelli [UNIFESP]; Hernandez, Ana Maria; Gonçalves, Maria Inês Rebelo [UNIFESP]; Associação de Assistência à Criança Deficiente; Hospital Santa Catarina Equipe de Fonoaudiologia; Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP)PURPOSE: to investigate the development in oral intake and the incidence of bronchopneumonia (BCP) in hospitalized patients with neurogenic oropharyngeal dysphagia, after speech and language therapy intervention. METHODS: 50 adult patients, divided in three groups: I: 31 post stroke patients; II: seven brain injury patients ; III: 12 dementia patients. Data collected before and after the speech and language therapy intervention were: staff classification in Functional Oral Intake Scale (FOIS), incidence of BCP, number of therapies and reason for their interruption. RESULTS: significant increase in the levels of FOIS scale and reduction in incidence of pneumonia in the three studied groups. In the post stroke and dementia groups the reason for therapy interruption was hospital discharge, and in the group of brain injury the reason was speech and language therapy discharge. CONCLUSION: the studied patients show increase in food consistency as for oral intake and reductions of BCP after speech and language therapy intervention related to swallowing disorders.
- ItemAcesso aberto (Open Access)A instituição asilar como fator potencializador da disfagia(CEFAC Saúde e Educação, 2010-12-01) Furkim, Ana Maria [UNIFESP]; Duarte, Silvana Triló; Hildebrandt, Patrícia Tenório; Rodrigues, Katia Alonso [UNIFESP]; Universidade Tuiuti do Paraná Programa de Pós-graduação em Distúrbios da Comunicação; Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP); Faculdade Assis Gurgacs; Fonoaudióloga da Cuidar Home Care; Pós-Graduação em Saúde e Educação CEFACPURPOSE: to check if the conditions related to general structure, human resources and daily routine of feeding in asylums can increase the chances for an alteration in the deglutition process of the elderlies. METHODS: a questionnaire was elaborated to be applied to the directors of five institutions in the city of Rio de Janeiro. RESULTS: it can be observed that the sole factor related to the structure of the place that had relevance in the obtained results was the nature of the institution, as the private system was the only one that was considered near the ideal conditions. Regarding the existing human resources, none of the institutions had all the professionals demanded by the Ordinance nº810/89. In relation to the daily feeding routines, in one of the investigated institutions, where the majority of the residents did not use denture, there was no restriction as for the offered food consistency. Another significant factor was the carelessness in terms of oral hygiene, favoring the settling of bacteria in the mouth, which can cause serious consequences in case of microaspirations. In three of the investigated institutions, it was observed that the elderlies lay down to sleep soon after the meals, fact that also had great importance, as this favors the incidence of gastroesophageal reflux episodes that can lead to gradual dysphagia. CONCLUSION: despite the fact that the asylum directors did not mention any referring problem in the process of deglutition of the elderlies, they show proper characteristics that can increase the possibilities for occurrence of alterations in the deglutition of these elderlies.
- ItemAcesso aberto (Open Access)Interferência da disfagia orofaríngea no consumo alimentar de indivíduos com mucopolissacaridose II(CEFAC Saúde e Educação, 2012-12-01) Ferreira, Ana Carolina Rocha Gomes [UNIFESP]; Oliveira, Alane Cabral de; Veiga, Larissa de Lima Pessoa; Santana, Liziane Damasceno; Barbosa, Pauliana Buarque; Guedes, Zelita Caldeira Ferreira [UNIFESP]; UNCISAL Faculdade de Fonoaudiologia de Alagoas; Universidade Federal de Alagoas; Centro de Estudos Superiores de Maceió Escola de Ciências da Saúde; Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP)PURPOSE: this study aimed to relate the degree of dysphagia and food consumption of individuals with mucopolysaccharidosis II (MPS II). METHOD: it was included individuals with MPS II of the genetics department at the State University of Alagoas and excluded those with other types of mucopolysaccharidosis and in use of alternative way of supply. There were performed anthropometric, dietetic, speech therapy for dysphagia,clinical evaluation and otorrinolarigologic videoendoscopy swallowing. RESULTS: there were studied 07 individuals, male, between 5 and 14 years old: from them, more than 50% were taking anti-hypertensive and 42.8% had the severe form of disease. Six had serious deficit height / age and over 70% were obese according to Body Mass Index (BMI). Dysphagia was observed in five subjects, with daily average caloric intake 920.15 ± 244.09 calories, against 1264.94 ± 106.85 calories for those without such changes, with significantly greater intraindividual variation in the group of patients with dysphagia (p <0.05). In addition, individuals without dysphagia had higher food intake of carbohydrates, proteins and lipids. As for micronutrients, except average daily intake of iron and vitamin E, all other assessed had higher average daily consumption in the group without dysphagia (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: it was observed a high frequency of dysphagia in the studied patients with MPS II, and this was associated with low caloric food consumption and imbalance in the proportion and amount of macronutrients and part of micronutrients.
- ItemAcesso aberto (Open Access)Manometria De Alta Resolução Da Faringe E Do Esfíncter Esofagiano Superior Em Pacientes Submetidos À Aplicação De Toxina Botulínica Em Músculo Tireoaritenoideo(Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP), 2018-12-20) Mororo, Welber Chaves [UNIFESP]; Biase, Noemi Grigoletto De [UNIFESP]; Fernandes, Fernando Augusto Mardiros Herbella [UNIFESP]; http://lattes.cnpq.br/4035568020554599; http://lattes.cnpq.br/3156326658988323; http://lattes.cnpq.br/5228061414625509; Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP)Objective: To Evaluate The Motor Function Of The Pharynx And Upper Esophageal Sphincter In Patients Submitted To The Application Of Botulinum Toxin Type A In Thyroaritenoid Muscle Under The Light Of High-Resolution Manometry. Method: Twenty Female Patients With An Injection Of Botulinum Toxin In The Thyroarytenoid Were Studied Prospectively, With A Mean Age Of 61.9 Years. The High-Resolution Manometry Was Performed Before And After The Injection (7th To 14th Day) And Its Parameters In Topography Of Palatine Veil, Epiglottis And Upper Esophageal Sphincter Were Recorded. A Quality Of Life Questionnaire Was Used In Dysphagia To Divide The Sample Into Groups. Results: 11 (55%) Individuals Had Worse Quality Of Life. In The Analysis Of The Whole Sample, As Well As In Each Of The Two Groups, There Was An Increase In The Residual Pressure Of The Upper Esophageal Sphincter (P = 0.0012) And The Time Between Onset Of Pharyngeal Contraction In Topography Of The Palatine Veil And Relaxation Of The Esophageal Sphincter (P
- ItemAcesso aberto (Open Access)Mobilidade de pregas vocais e sensibilidade laríngea em pacientes disfágicos pós-AVE(Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP), 2010-02-24) Fiorese, Ana Carolina [UNIFESP]; Gonçalves, Maria Inês Rebelo [UNIFESP]; Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP)Objectives: To investigate the interference of vocal folds mobility and larynx sensitivity alterations in deglutition dynamics on patients after encephalic vascular accident (EVA), admitted on oropharyngeal dysphagia ambulatory, evaluated by nasolaryngoscopy. Materials and Methods: A retrospective charts review of adult patients after EVA that were submitted to objective deglutition evaluation using nasolaryngoscopy. Data on personal background, time of the cerebral lesion and results of the instrumental deglutition assessment was contrasted with the vocal folds mobility alterations and laryngeal sensitivity, observed during the nasolaryngoscopy. Results: The sample was constituted of 55 dysphagic patients (36 male and 19 female) with ages ranging between 30 and 84 years (mean age of 63.7 years). Time of the lesion varied from 7 days to 10 years (120 months), mean of 14 months. When correlating the presence of vocal folds mobility alterations and laryngeal sensitivity with laryngeal penetration, tracheal aspiration and pharyngeal recesses residue, respectively, there were no statistically significant correlations in any of the associations. Conclusions: There was no association between vocal folds mobility loss and laryngeal sensitivity and laryngeal penetration, tracheal aspiration and food residue in the pharyngeal recesses.
- ItemAcesso aberto (Open Access)Perfil de pacientes em uso de via alternativa de alimentação internados em um hospital geral(CEFAC Saúde e Educação, 2013-02-01) Nogueira, Serjana Cavalcante Jucá; Carvalho, Ana Paula Cajaseiras de [UNIFESP]; Melo, Cleysiane Barros de; Morais, Edna Pereira Gomes de [UNIFESP]; Chiari, Brasilia Maria [UNIFESP]; Gonçalves, Maria Inês Rebelo [UNIFESP]; Universidade Estadual de Ciências da Saúde de Alagoas; Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP)PURPOSE: to characterize the population submitted to administration of alternative feeding route admitted to a general hospital in the state of Alagoas. METHOD: data from medical records of 229 patients admitted to adult infirmary were investigated. Data referring to the administration of alternative feeding route in use and clinical aspects related to swallowing disorders were analyzed. RESULTS: there was a predominance of male participants (55.02%) in the sample. From the total sample, 70.3% of participants were diagnosed with a neurological disease and most of them used the nasogastric tube (82.53%) as feeding route. There was an association between the variables pneumonia and dysphagia (p = 0.0098). However, no association between malnutrition and dysphagia was found (p = 0.0759). There was also a high frequency of absence of data concerning symptoms of feeding difficulty as well as about justification for the use of the alternative feeding route. CONCLUSION: the population studied presented risk factors for development of dysphagia. The shortage of data revealed the little importance given to functional manifestation at the hospital context.
- ItemSomente MetadadadosPrevalência de alterações de deglutição em idosos sem sequelas neurológicas: perfil da deglutição do idoso do município de Santos/SP(Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP), 2020-08-13) Diaz, Juliana Gonzalez [UNIFESP]; Lombardi Júnior, Imperio [UNIFESP]; Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP)Several studies report that 40 to 60% of older people have some difficulty chewing and/or swallowing, which can lead to malnutrition, dehydration, weight loss, a lack of eating desire, etc. Objective: Identify older adults with swallowing difficulties in the city of Santos, Brazil, among users of the public healthcare system. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted with 100 individuals aged 60 to 90 years with no neurological disorders. Patient histories were taken and a stomatognathic evaluations were performed. The Mini Mental Health Examination and swallowing-related quality of life questionnaire (SWAL-QOL) were administered. The clinical swallowing assessment was performed with liquid, pasty, and solid foods using two assessment protocols. Results: We found complaints of poorly adapted dentures among 49.3% of denture wearers and a high incidence of hypofunction of orofacial muscles. Sixty-five percent of the respondents had facial muscle hypofunction, 51% exhibited lip hypofunction, and 49% exhibited tongue hypofunction. Moreover, 54% reported difficulty swallowing. On the SWAL-QOL questionnaire, 37% reported choking when eating food, 44% reported choking when drinking liquids, 29% reported coughing during meals, and 77% reported difficulty chewing. Conclusions: The present study revealed an important incidence of complaints related to swallowing difficulties among older people in the city of Santos characteristic of presbyphagia, with structural and physiological changes. The most prevalent conditions were poorly adapted dentures and hypofunction of orofacial muscles, underscoring the importance of stomatognathic interventions in primary care.
- ItemAcesso aberto (Open Access)Reflexo da deglutição: análise sobre eficiência de diferentes estímulos em jovens sadios(Pró-Fono Produtos Especializados para Fonoaudiologia Ltda., 2008-09-01) Pereira, Nayara A. Vasconcelos [UNIFESP]; Motta, Andréa Rodrigues [UNIFESP]; Vicente, Laélia Cristina C. [UNIFESP]; Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP); Hospital Dia e Maternidade UnimedBACKGROUND: the absence or delay of the swallowing reflex is considered a significant sign of dysphagia. Therefore, the therapy traditionally applied to these cases consists in increasing the intra-oral input through cold touches (0 or 00 larynx mirror) on the inferior portion of the inferior third of the palatoglossus arch. AIM: to identify in healthy young individuals which oropharyngeal regions are more sensitive and which stimulus is more efficient in triggering the swallowing reflex. METHODS: the swallowing reflex was analyzed based on the following stimuli: spatula, cold 00 larynx mirror, gauze embedded in cold water wrapped onto spatula and frozen moist gauze wrapped onto spatula; touching the palatoglossus arch in both its inferior and superior portions, the palatine tonsils, the base of the tongue and the uvula in 65 healthy young individuals. RESULTS: the swallowing reflex was not triggered in most of the participants when touching different oropharyngeal regions with different stimuli. This result was statistically significant. When present, the most efficient stimuli were cold 00 larynx mirror (28.6%) and frozen moist gauze wrapped onto spatula (27.3%). Concerning the oropharynx, the uvula (29.6%), the palatine tonsils (26.7%), the superior (25%) and inferior (21.2%) palatoglossi arches and the base of tongue (25%) were most sensitive to the applied stimuli. CONCLUSION: when the swallowing reflex was present, the uvula, the palatoglossi arches and the palatine tonsils were the most sensitive regions to trigger this reflex, and the most efficient stimuli to trigger swallowing were the cold 00 larynx mirror and the frozen moist gauze wrapped onto spatula.