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One of my favorite studies I have participated in is the swallowing study at the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. This study is definitely in my study hall of fame. I completed the study in February of 2013.
I had to reschedule once or twice because of snow, but I am quite happy that I followed through and participated.
I didn’t know too much about the study going in except that swallowing in some shape or form would be involved. The study team reminded me multiple times to make sure I had a clean-shaven neck and chin the day of the study. I guess I could have rocked a mustache, but a Van Dyke beard would have been out of the question.
The study took place in the Swallowing Neurophysiology Lab. I got to the building and signed in. I then went upstairs and had to ring a bell to be let into the lab, which added to the intrigue of my experience.
Once I was in the lab, the research team guided me through the normal paperwork and consent process. They told me a little more about what I would be doing during the study process and said I’d be there for about an hour and a half.
I was ushered into a room with a chair, TV, and an X-ray looking contraption. I sat down in the chair, and the researchers put metal sensors on various spots on my face. At that point I knew why I needed to be clean-shaven.
Once they were done applying the sensors, the researchers turned the TV on that was directly in front of me.
I could see my head and neck move on the screen in real time! When I took a breath or moved my jaw or neck, I could see a skeletal, x-ray version of myself on the TV making the movements.
We then got down to business and began the study protocol. The researchers placed the end of a plastic tube in my mouth. I held the tube like a straw while they shuttled a specified amount of water into my mouth. I was then instructed to swallow the water and closely watch my jaw, neck, and throat on the TV while I swallowed.
I was instructed to get acquainted with the swallowing process and focus on holding my swallow at the top of the motion. To understand what I mean by the top of the swallowing motion, try swallowing your saliva or some water. Right before the liquid goes down your esophagus, there is a point where the uvula—the flap of skin you can see hanging in the back of your throat—closes off the nasal passageway, and the epiglottis—a sturdy flap of cartilage—makes sure the food or liquid doesn’t go down your airway. The water sitting in this area in the back of your throat before it goes down your esophagus was what the researchers were referring to as the top of the swallowing motion.
Understanding the mechanisms of training this movement and muscle has major implications for stroke victims who have trouble swallowing or have completely lost the ability to swallow. The researchers were aiming to better understand how people can strengthen the muscles involved in swallowing in order to help train stroke victims who have difficulty swallowing.
I got as acquainted as an unincentivized person would. Then, the researchers uncovered a whiteboard with increasing dollar increments, and I immediately wished I had taken more time to perfect my control over the swallowing process.
The researchers explained the game I was going to play. I had to swallow the water and hold my uvula closed for as long as I could. The goal of the game was to beat my previous time. If I beat my previous time, I would move up a rung on the incentive ladder. It went up to $200, and I would have 5 trials. For every second past my best time on the 5th trial, I would get the corresponding dollar amount above the rung I was on!
The game was much harder than I thought. It’s quite difficult to identify the muscle and movement and then stop your swallowing motion at the precise time.
I completely missed the first attempt. I didn’t even register a time. I took a second to compose myself and regret not practicing a little harder when I had the chance.
I was able to hold my second attempt for about 5 seconds. Strategy wise, I didn’t want to hold it too long or else I would have more difficulty beating the time and getting to a higher money step. I was clenching my whole body when I tried to hold the movement, and it felt very forced.
On my 3rd attempt, I had another dud. I wasn’t able to hold the water during the swallow. On my 4th, I held the motion, but it wasn’t long enough to match my previous best. I was down to my last chance. I took a few deep breaths, and I held the water. This time I beat my previous best by 4 seconds. I ended at step 2 plus 4, which amounted to $144.
$144 is very nice chunk of change for a little over an hour. The study was not invasive at all compared to other studies I’ve done. I also had fun completing the exercise; being able to see my own bones move in real time was so cool.
A check for the amount I earned arrived at my house about a week later. You can’t find a better deal than cash in exchange for contributing to society!