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Published in: Dysphagia 1/2022

01-02-2022 | Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis | Original Article

A Novel Method for Triggering the Swallowing Reflex in Patients with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis: the Ishizaki Press Method

Authors: Naohiko Ishizaki, Tomohisa Ohno, Takuya Harada, Takahiro Sugahara, Fumihito Aikawa, Kenjiro Kunieda, Ichiro Fujishima

Published in: Dysphagia | Issue 1/2022

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Abstract

This study describes the identification of specific maxillofacial points triggering the swallowing reflex by finger pressure in a patient with severe amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. This method has been named as the “Ishizaki Press Method.” The first point was identified in a serendipitous encounter during training sessions to aid communication. This led to the search for such additional points, after obtaining informed consent from the patient and his relatives. Seven effective points were identified: the depressions in front of the left and right tragus (Ting gong points), bilateral points over the parotid and submandibular glands, and a point over the mentum in the midline of the face. The efficacy of these trigger points was noted to be ≥ 70%. The mean time taken for swallowing to occur in response to the stimulation at each of these points was less than 10 s, and the induction of a rapid swallowing reflex was recognized. Alternating left and right stimulations of the Ting gong points and the parotid points triggered the swallowing reflex significantly faster than unilateral stimulations alone. The Ishizaki Press Method may improve the management of dysphagia in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.
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Metadata
Title
A Novel Method for Triggering the Swallowing Reflex in Patients with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis: the Ishizaki Press Method
Authors
Naohiko Ishizaki
Tomohisa Ohno
Takuya Harada
Takahiro Sugahara
Fumihito Aikawa
Kenjiro Kunieda
Ichiro Fujishima
Publication date
01-02-2022
Publisher
Springer US
Published in
Dysphagia / Issue 1/2022
Print ISSN: 0179-051X
Electronic ISSN: 1432-0460
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00455-021-10261-z

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