The Reliability of Oral and Pharyngeal Dimensions Captured with Acoustic Pharyngometry

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Acoustic Pharyngometry (APh) is a method for quantifying oropharyngeal tract configuration using sound wave reflection and is commonly used in diagnostics and research of sleep apnea. The standard preset output of APh (minimal cross-sectional area) has been established as reliable. However, by conducting post-processing measures on specific breathing tasks, APh data can also reveal oral length, oral volume, pharyngeal length, and pharyngeal volume. Given that these measures may have utility in dysphagia research, the reliability of these measures is unknown and is the focus of the current study. Ten young healthy female volunteers completed two sessions of APh data collection to obtain measures of oral length, oral volume, pharyngeal length, and pharyngeal volume 1 week apart. Two-way mixed intraclass correlation coefficients were calculated to establish intra-rater reliability, inter-rater reliability, and test–retest reliability. Results revealed excellent levels of agreement within and across raters for all oropharyngeal tract parameters. Levels of test–retest agreement for oral length and oral volume indicated these parameters are appropriate for monitoring change within an individual. All parameters were deemed to have acceptable test–retest values as outcome measures in group-level analysis.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)555-559
Number of pages5
JournalDysphagia
Volume31
Issue number4
DOIs
StatePublished - Aug 1 2016

Keywords

  • Acoustic pharyngometry
  • Deglutition
  • Deglutition disorders
  • Oral cavity
  • Pharynx
  • Reliability

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Otorhinolaryngology
  • Gastroenterology
  • Speech and Hearing

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'The Reliability of Oral and Pharyngeal Dimensions Captured with Acoustic Pharyngometry'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this