Systems and methods for diagnosis and treatment of swallowing disorders

A method for use in the diagnosis and treatment of a swallowing disorder of a patient, the method comprising the steps of:

• a) receiving a system, comprising:
• i) a first computing device,
• ii) a measurement device configured for attaching to the patient, the measurement device operatively coupled to a second computing device, wherein the second computing device is configured to transmit surface electromyography (“sEMG”) data generated by the patient as the patient swallows to the first computing device, and wherein the measurement device further comprises a chin attachment configured for attachment to a chin of the patient, the chin attachment further comprising at least one sensor configured to collect the sEMG data from the patient, and
• iii) an analysis module disposed in the first computing device, the analysis module configured to analyze the sEMG data and provide an output to a game module disposed in the first computing device, wherein the game module is configured to use said output to achieve functions associated with a game as the patient engages in swallowing exercises, wherein said functions include a function that provides, during the swallowing exercises, sensory feedback initiated at the first computing device, having an intensity proportional to the patient's exertion level, wherein exertion targets for the swallowing exercise include target signal amplitudes set based on a self-calibration that estimates the patient's ability using signal amplitudes of collected sEMG data, and wherein the sensory feedback changes over a course of the exercise in dependence on a duration that the patient maintains a submental muscle contraction at or above the target signal amplitude, and the change in sensory feedback is configured to encourage the patient to prolong the duration;
• b) attaching the measurement device to a chin of the patient, and
• c) using the sEMG data to measure muscle contraction of the patient when the patient swallows.

A method of providing sensory feedback during a swallowing exercise, the method comprising:

• setting an exertion target, for a user performing the swallowing exercise, based on a self-calibration that estimates the user's ability using signal amplitudes of surface electromyography (sEMG) data, wherein the exertion target includes a target signal amplitude of muscle contractions to be reached during the swallowing exercise;
• receiving sEMG data from a measurement device attached to the user's chin as the user swallows while performing the swallowing exercise;
• and
• upon processing the sEMG data, generating sensory feedback at a computing device operated by the user, wherein the sensory feedback has an intensity proportional to the user's exertion level as the user performs the swallowing exercise, and wherein the sensory feedback changes over a course of the exercise in dependence on a duration that the user maintains a submental muscle contraction at or above the target signal amplitude, and the change in sensory feedback is configured to encourage the user to prolong the duration.