Chin Tuck Against Resistance

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How To Do The Chin Tuck Against Resistance

  1. Sit up straight
  2. Place a rolled-up hand towel gently against your neck
  3. Push your chin down—hard—into the towel and hold for 60 seconds
    • Repeat 3 times
  4. Next, push your chin down hard into the towel and hold for 3 seconds
    • Relax briefly
    • Repeat the 3-second hold then relax up to 30 times

Instead of a rolled-up hand towel, patients can use an inflatable rubber ball or dedicated device (such as the PhagiaFLEX™ device).

Contraindications

Chin tuck against resistance is not recommended for patients with chronic neck pain, a history of neck surgery, or a tracheostomy.

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Table Of Contents
  1. How To Do The Chin Tuck Against Resistance
  2. About Chin Tuck Against Resistance
  3. When To Use Chin Tuck Against Resistance
  4. References
  5. Patient Handouts

About Chin Tuck Against Resistance

chin tuck against resistance

Chin tuck against resistance is an evidenced-based swallowing exercise. Its goal is to improve oral pharyngeal swallowing in patients with dysphagia by strengthening the suprahyoid muscles.

The exercise aims to do this by increasing laryngeal elevation, epiglottic closure, and pharyngeal clearance.

When To Use Chin Tuck Against Resistance

chin tuck against resistance CTAR

Use Chin Tuck Against Resistance with the following signs of dysphagia:

  • Decreased hyolaryngeal elevation
  • UES dysfunction or decreased UES opening
  • Decreased airway protection
  • General weakness of the throat muscles

References

  • American Speech-Language-Hearing Association. (n.d.). Adult Dysphagia. (Practice Portal). Retrieved Feb, 22, 2023, from www.asha.org/Practice-Portal/Clinical-Topics/Adult-Dysphagia/
  • Department of Veterans Affairs Department of Defense. (2019, July). VA/DoD clinical practice guideline for the management of stroke rehabilitation. https://www.healthquality.va.gov/guidelines/Rehab/stroke/VADoDStrokeRehabCPGFinal8292019.pdf
  • Duncan, S., McAuley, D.F., Walshe, M. et al. Interventions for oropharyngeal dysphagia in acute and critical care: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Intensive Care Med 46, 1326–1338 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00134-020-06126-y
  • Namasivayam-MacDonald, A., Rapley, M., Stewart, J., Webster, E., Quon, C., & Rogus-Pulia, N. (2022). Impact of Dysphagia Rehabilitation in Adults on Swallowing Physiology Measured With Videofluoroscopy: A Mapping Review. American journal of speech-language pathology, 31(5), 2195–2228. https://doi.org/10.1044/2022_AJSLP-21-00342
  • Park, J. S., & Hwang, N. K. (2021). Chin tuck against resistance exercise for dysphagia rehabilitation: A systematic review. Journal of Oral Rehabilitation, 48(8), 968-977. https://doi.org/10.1111/joor.13181
  • Speyer, R., Cordier, R., Sutt, A.-L., Remijn, L., Heijnen, B. J., Balaguer, M., Pommée, T., et al. (2022). Behavioural Interventions in People with Oropharyngeal Dysphagia: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomised Clinical Trials. Journal of Clinical Medicine, 11(3), 685. MDPI AG. Retrieved from http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/jcm11030685

Patient Handouts

This is exactly what I was looking for! EBP HEP!!
ElizabethVerified Purchase of The Dysphagia Pack
The material found in this packet is so informational and easy to access! I am very excited to print and bind this PDF file and use it during my CFY in a SNF! Highly recommend for any SLP in the medical field, seasoned or not! 🙂
BrookeVerified Purchase of The Dysphagia Pack
As a CFY-SLP in my 4th month, I appreciate this bundle SO MUCH! It’s helped me guide my evals and treatment sessions with clear and clean templates. I love how each section is tailored to that specific target (voice, motor speech, dysphagia, etc). HIGHLY RECOMMEND
LaurenVerified Purchase of The Starter Pack

For evidence-based patient handouts, worksheets, templates, and much more, check out The Adult Speech Therapy Starter Pack!

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