Figure 6

The protocol and original index of the present study. (a) The series of the study protocol is shown. After the basal lower esophageal sphincter pressure (BLESP) was obtained, the 5 dry swallows were performed. After the BLESP was obtained again, 10 wet swallows of 5 ml water were performed. (b) As for the original index in this study, swallow-induced LES relaxation, LES accommodation, receptive LES relaxation and LES accommodation measurement were determined using the following formulas: C–D, A–C, B–C and C, respectively. Black rectangles indicate the BLESP, and black circles and triangles indicate dry and wet swallows, respectively. A: The BLESP. B: The LES pressure for 5 s just before the injection of 5 mL of water into the oral cavity. C: The LES pressure during pharyngeal water stimulation for 5 s just before each swallow. D: The IRP level of each swallow. In this HRM image, the subject was asked to hold 5 mL water in the pharynx for 15 s longer than usual before swallowing, in order to make receptive LES relaxation easier to recognize.