Reflex vs. Volitional Cough Differences Amongst Head and Neck Cancer Survivors Characterized by Time Since Treatment and Aspiration Status.

Abstract Background The aim of this study was to investigate differences in reflexive and volitional cough airflows in advanced stage head and neck cancer survivors as it relates to aspiration status and time since treatment. The hypothesis is that those who aspirate several years after treatment completion would demonstrate reduced airflows for all cough parameters compared to those recently status post treatment completion given the known progressive deterioration associated with radiotherapy. Methods Demographic and airflow data during both reflexive and volitional cough tasks and aspiration status as determined during fiberoptic endoscopic evaluation of swallow function were collected from 33 Head and Neck Cancer (HNC) survivors. Results Omnibus MANOVA for dependent airflow variables and independent variables aspiration status, time since treatment and cough type (reflex or volitional) was significant (F(3,1) = 184, p  Conclusion Findings of reduced reflexive compared to volitional cough airflows in head and neck cancer survivors are consistent with those from both healthy and other diseased populations. Additional findings that aspirators demonstrate reduced cough airflows compared to non-aspirators supports the hypothesis. Surprisingly, those recently status post treatment completion show worse cough airflows compared to those remotely status post treatment completion.