What is the chin-down posture? A questionnaire survey of speech language pathologists in Japan and the United States

Dysphagia. 2007 Jul;22(3):204-9. doi: 10.1007/s00455-006-9073-0. Epub 2007 Apr 10.

Abstract

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.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Chin / physiology*
  • Clinical Competence
  • Deglutition Disorders / therapy*
  • Humans
  • Japan
  • Movement / physiology*
  • Posture*
  • Speech-Language Pathology / methods*
  • Surveys and Questionnaires*
  • Terminology as Topic
  • United States