- Sumiko Okada SLP, MS 1,2
- Eiichi Saitoh MD 3
- Jeffrey B. Palmer MD 4,5
- Koichiro Matsuo DDS, PhD 4
- Michio Yokoyama MD 3
- Ritsuko Shigeta SLP 6
- Mikoto Baba MD 1
- Faculty of Rehabilitation, School of Health Sciences, Fujita Health University, Toyoake, Aichi, Japan
- School of Health Sciences, Fujita Health University, 1-98 Dengakugakubo, Kutsukake, 470-1192, Toyoake, Aichi, Japan
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Fujita Health University, Toyoake, Aichi, Japan
- Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, and Center for Functional Anatomy and Evolution, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
- Department of Rehabilitation, Fujita Health University Hospital, Toyoake, Aichi, Japan
The “chin-down” or “chin-tuck” maneuver is a postural technique widely used in dysphagia treatment. The posture, however, does not have a precise anatomical definition. We studied the current practice of 42 speech-language pathologists (SLPs) in Japan and the U.S. with a questionnaire survey regarding the chin-down posture. The main findings were that (1) three of five of the pictures were selected by respondents both in Japan and in the U.S. as depicting the chin-down posture; (2) 23% of Japanese and 58% of the U.S. SLPs made a distinction between chin down and chin tuck; and (3) the use of anatomical terminology by SLPs differed between the two countries. This study showed that there is poor agreement among SLPs about the meaning of the chin-down and chin-tuck postures. Developing a precise definition is important because various postures may have differing physiologic effects.
- Chin-down postural technique
- Functional anatomy
- Dysphagia
- Speech-language pathologist questionnaire
- Deglutition
- Deglutition disorders