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A Pilot Study of Respiration and Swallowing Integration in Parkinson’s Disease: “On” and “Off” Levodopa

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Abstract

Parkinson’s disease is associated with both swallowing and respiratory dysfunction, increasing the risk of aspiration and pneumonia. Previous studies have shown improvements in measurements of swallowing and respiration with levodopa; however, the studies are small and some studies show conflicting reports. The aim of this study was to further investigate the effect of levodopa on respiration. Ten patients with Parkinson’s disease were tested “On” and “Off” levodopa. Assessments included Unified Parkinson’s Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS), coordination of swallowing and respiration, timed-test of swallowing, lung function testing, and, qualitative assessment of swallowing. There was a nonsignificant trend to lower volume per swallow when “On” levodopa, significant reduction in lung function when “On” levodopa, but no difference in coordination of swallowing and respiration or qualitative assessment of swallowing. There was a significant increase in motor examination score of the UPDRS when “Off” levodopa compared to “On.” There may be a reduction in efficiency of swallowing with levodopa medication without any apparent increase in risk of aspiration. These pilot data suggest that further evaluation with larger numbers of participants is justified.

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Acknowledgments

This study was supported by funds from the McGee Fellowship, Christchurch School of Medicine & Health Sciences, University of Otago.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Medicine, Christchurch School of Medicine, Christchurch, New Zealand

    Anthony Lim, Chris Frampton & Tim Anderson

  2. Department of Communication Disorders, University of Canterbury, c/o Van der Veer Institute, 16 St. Asaph Street, Christchurch, New Zealand

    LiPyn Leow & Maggie-Lee Huckabee

  3. Van der Veer Institute for Parkinson’s and Brain Research, Christchurch, New Zealand

    Anthony Lim, LiPyn Leow & Maggie-Lee Huckabee

  4. Department of Neurology, Christchurch Hospital, Christchurch, New Zealand

    Tim Anderson

Authors
  1. Anthony Lim
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  2. LiPyn Leow
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  3. Maggie-Lee Huckabee
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  4. Chris Frampton
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  5. Tim Anderson
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Maggie-Lee Huckabee.

Additional information

Work was performed at the Van der Veer Institute for Parkinson's and Brain Research, Christchurch, New Zealand.

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Lim, A., Leow, L., Huckabee, ML. et al. A Pilot Study of Respiration and Swallowing Integration in Parkinson’s Disease: “On” and “Off” Levodopa. Dysphagia 23, 76–81 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00455-007-9100-9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00455-007-9100-9

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