MODERN TECHNOLOGIES IN DYSPHAGIA 
REHABILITATION
SODOBNE TEHNOLOGIJE PRI OBRAVNAVI 
MOTENJ POŽIRANJA
prof. dr. Yoko Inamoto
Faculty of Rehabilitation, School of Health Sciences, Fujita Health University, Japan
Prispelo: 31. 3. 2022
Sprejeto: 1. 4. 2022
Avtorica za dopisovanje / Corresponding author (YI): inamoto@fujita-hu.ac.jp
Abstract
Advances in technology over the past decade have contributed 
to the development of dysphagia rehabilitation. New and 
innovative tools have been available in dysphagia clinic 
providing more precise understanding of pathophysiology 
and promoting the achievement of the eating activity.
For evaluation, swallowing CT is a groundbreaking technology 
that enables visualisation of swallowing three-dimensionally 
with excellent space resolution and with sufficient time reso-
lution. 3D dynamic imaging and quantitative measures have 
resulted in dramatic advances in understanding of complex 
swallowing physiology and swallowing disorders, to deter-
mine clinical management, and for follow-up after treatment.
Kinetically, high-resolution manometry has been frequently 
utilised to obtain the pressure in pharynx and upper esophageal 
sphincter (UES) and to assess the pharyngeal driving force 
during the swallow. Concurrent recordings with videofluor-
oscopy promotes accurate treatment-oriented evaluation by 
allowing both kinetic and kinematic analysis.
Throughout the evaluation and treatment, »Swallow Chair« 
has been developed to adjust postures during swallowing. 
Accessibility of usage throughout evaluation and treatment 
solved the problem of reproducibility of recommended pos-
tures from evaluation to treatment. Swallow Chair is more 
than just the tool for compensation, it is the tool for efficiently 
promoting the improvement of swallowing function.
For treatment, double balloon has been introduced as a promis-
ing tool for treating dysphagia associated with cricopharyngeal 
dysfunction. The device consisting of inner spherical balloon 
and outer elliptical balloon helps to dilate the UES stricture 
more stably, efficiently, and non-invasively in swallowing 
therapy.
Povzetek
Napredek tehnologije v zadnjem desetletju je prispeval k razvoju 
rehabilitacije pri motnjah požiranja. Za klinično uporabo so na 
voljo nova orodja, ki omogočajo bolj natančno razumevanje 
patofiziologije in pomagajo pri doseganju uspešnega hranjenja.
Ključna nova tehnologija na področju ocenjevanja je CT požira-
nja, ki omogoča trirazsežen prikaz požiranja z odlično prostorsko 
in zadostno časovno ločljivostjo. Trirazsežne dinamične slikovne 
tehnike in njimi povezane meritve so omogočile bistven napredek 
pri razumevanju kompleksne fiziologije požiranja in motenj 
požiranja, kar omogoča boljšo klinično obravnavo in spremljanje 
po zdravljenju.
Glede kinetike se pogosto uporablja manometrija z visoko 
ločljivostjo za merjenje tlaka v žrelu in zgornji mišici zapiralki 
požiralnika (MZP) ter sile potiska požiralnika pri požiranju. 
Sočasno snemanje z videofluoroskopijo omogoča točno ocenje-
vanje, usmerjeno v zdravljenje, ki omogoča tako kinetično kot 
kinematično analizo.
»Požiralni stol« se uporablja skozi celotno ocenjevanje in 
zdravljenje za popravke drže pri požiranju. Razpoložljivost tega 
pripomočka skozi celoten potek ocenjevanja in zdravljenja je 
rešila problem obnovljivosti priporočene drže. »Požiralni stol« 
je več kot le orodje za nadomeščanje primanjkljajev; je orodje, 
ki učinkovito pripomore k izboljšanju funkcije požiranja.
Za zdravljenje motenj požiranja, povezanih z disfunkcijo hru-
stančnega dela požiralnika, se kot obetavno orodje uvaja dvojni 
balon. Napravo sestavljata notranji kroglasti balon in zunanji 
elipsoidni balon, ki pri zdravljenju požiranja pomagata razširiti 
skrčeno MZP bolj stabilno, učinkovito in neinvazivno.
Pred kratkim so uvedli magnetno stimulacijo za spodbujanje 
mišic nad podjezičnico kot neinvazivno in manj bolečo alter-
nativo električni stimulaciji. Raziskave kažejo, da s periferno 
Inamoto / letnik XXI, supl. 1 (2022)
67
Most recently, magnetic stimulation has been introduced for 
promoting the suprahyoid activity as noninvasive and less pain 
intervention as an alternative to electrical stimulation. Studies 
are showing the achievement of sufficient hyoid elevation at rest 
through peripheral magnetic stimulation. Repetitive peripheral 
magnetic stimulation is expected to promote the hyolaryngeal 
elevation during swallowing as a new simple muscle strengthening 
exercise. 
In this lecture, I will explain the features of these innovative tools 
as an assistive system and how to utilise them in swallowing 
rehabilitation to reconstruct eating.
Key words: 
swallowing CT; kinetic and kinematic analysis; Swallow Chair; 
double balloon; magnetic stimulation
magnetno stimulacijo dosežemo zadosten dvig podjezičnice v 
mirovanju. Ponavljajoča se periferna magnetna stimulacija naj 
bi spodbujala dvig podjezičnično-žrelni dvig med požiranjem kot 
nova in preprosta oblika vadbe za raztezanje mišic.
Na predavanju bom pojasnila značilnosti teh novih orodij v 
okviru podpornega sistema in razložila, kako jih uporabljati pri 
rehabilitaciji požiranja, da obnovimo zmožnost hranjenja.
Ključne besede: 
CT požiranja; kinetična in kinematična analiza; »požiralni stol«; 
dvojni balon; magnetna stimulacija
Inamoto / letnik XXI, supl. 1 (2022)
68