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Research: SCARBOROUGH and colleagues,
Listed in Issue 158
Abstract
SCARBOROUGH and colleagues, Department of Speech Pathology and Audiology, Miami University, Oxford, Ohio 45056, USA. scarbod@muohio.edu , have found that the gag reflex can be altered via a palm pressure point.
Background
The gag reflex regularly interferes with dental procedures. The authors hypothesize that applying pressure to a specific point on the palm alters the gag reflex and that hypersensitive gag reflexes may be categorized according to oropharyngeal landmarks.
Methodology
Thirty-six neurologically intact subjects underwent a series of gag reflex trials (baseline, sham and treatment). The authors developed a hand pressure device for subjects to wear, which provided a consistent force, and they described a gag trigger point index (GTPI) scale. On the basis of the GTPI, they divided subjects into a hypersensitive group and an expected-sensitivity (control) group.
Results
The trigger point of the gag reflex moved posteriorly in all subjects as a result of pressure to the palm point. Statistical results from repeated measures analysis of variance support the GTPI baseline data, and group assignments helped predict mean GTPI scores across conditions. The authors noted a significant treatment-group interaction effect, which indicated that the difference in mean GTPI responses between the hypersensitive and expected-sensitivity groups depended on the treatment being used.
Conclusion
The authors introduce a treatment involving the stimulation of a pressure point that consistently altered the gag reflex trigger. The results of the study show the need for a more detailed, systematic approach to studying the hypersensitive gag reflex. The change in trigger point in the hypersensitive group represented a functional gain. Application of the pressure point during dental procedures would decrease the likelihood of triggering a gag reflex.
References
Scarborough D. Bailey-Van Kuren M. Hughes M. Altering the gag reflex via a palm pressure point. Journal of the American Dental Association. 139(10):1365-72. Oct 2008.
