Swallowing Function

This study examines whether simple speech tasks and a swallowing screening test can help identify swallowing risk in adults of different ages. Participants will complete basic questions, a swallowing self-assessment, a saliva swallowing test, and short voice recordings of rapid syllables. The study is non-invasive, takes about 75 minutes, and may help develop an easy, low-cost screening tool for early swallowing problems.

Laryngeal squamous cell carcinomas are head and neck malignancies that directly affect both swallowing and voice functions and are associated with a significant deterioration in patients' quality of life throughout the treatment process. The aim of this study is to evaluate quality of life, voice and swallowing functions, pain, anxiety-depression levels, and patient satisfaction at the pre-treatment period and at the 3rd, 6th, and 12th months post-treatment in patients with laryngeal malignancies, using validated questionnaires, in order to: Elucidate the course of functional recovery following treatment, Individualize rehabilitation and follow-up strategies, and Examine the relationship between functional outcomes and oncological survival.

This exploratory clinical trial aims to investigate the mechanism of sequential muscle contractions during normal swallowing processes, including spoon, straw, and cup feeding, in children aged 2 to under 10 years without swallowing disorders. Surface electromyography (sEMG) will be used to evaluate activation patterns of the orbicularis oris, submental, and hyoid muscles during liquid, semi-solid, and solid intake. The study seeks to characterize the timing, duration, amplitude, and coordination of swallowing-related muscle activity in typically developing children. Findings from this study are expected to provide foundational physiological data to inform the development of pediatric-specific neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) protocols for dysphagia treatment.

This study focuses on swallowing dysfunction, a common issue affecting 60-75% of head and neck cancer patients due to tumor damage, treatment complications, and chemoradiotherapy side effects, which can lead to malnutrition and reduced quality of life. With limited research on the effects of radiation doses on swallowing muscles and nutrition, this study aims to evaluate these impacts in non-surgical patients undergoing radiotherapy, conducting assessments before treatment, three months after, and within one year post-treatment.