AIMS: To investigate the effect of menthol on swallowing reflex sensitivity in elderly patients with dysphagia. METHODS AND RESULTS: The swallowing reflex sensitivity of institutionalized elderly patients was evaluated as a latent time of swallowing reflex (LTSR), induced by the injection of 1 ml solution into the pharynx. LTSR was significantly shortened in a concentration-dependent manner, from 13.8 s [95% confidence interval (CI) 11.1, 16.5] by distilled water to 9.4 s (95% CI 7.1. 11.8) by 10(-2)m menthol. CONCLUSION: Using menthol with elderly patients with dysphagia may improve the sensitivity of their swallowing reflex, resulting in prevention of aspiration pneumonia.
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Ebihara et al. (2006) studied this question.
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