The effects of lingual exercise in stroke patients with dysphagia.
OBJECTIVE
To examine the effects of lingual exercise on swallowing recovery poststroke.


METHODS
Prospective cohort intervention study, with 4- and 8-week follow-ups.


METHODS
Dysphagia clinic, tertiary care center.


METHODS
Ten stroke patients (n=6, acute: < or =3mo poststroke; n=4, chronic: >3mo poststroke), age 51 to 90 years (mean, 69.7y).


METHODS
Subjects performed an 8-week isometric lingual exercise program by compressing an air-filled bulb between the tongue and the hard palate.


METHODS
Isometric and swallowing lingual pressures, bolus flow parameters, diet, and a dysphagia-specific quality of life questionnaire were collected at baseline, week 4, and week 8. Three of the 10 subjects underwent magnetic resonance imaging at each time interval to measure lingual volume.


RESULTS
All subjects significantly increased isometric and swallowing pressures. Airway invasion was reduced for liquids. Two subjects increased lingual volume.


CONCLUSIONS
The findings indicate that lingual exercise enables acute and chronic dysphagic stroke patients to increase lingual strength with associated improvements in swallowing pressures, airway protection, and lingual volume.
Robbins
JoAnne
J
William S Middleton Memorial Veterans Hospital, Geriatric Research, Education and Clinical Center, Madison, WI 53705, USA. jrobbin2@wisc.edu
Kays
Stephanie A
SA
Gangnon
Ronald E
RE
Hind
Jacqueline A
JA
Hewitt
Angela L
AL
Gentry
Lindell R
LR
Taylor
Andrew J
AJ
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003680:Deglutition Disorders / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D004032:Diet; D005081:Exercise Therapy; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007537:Isometric Contraction / Q000502:physiology; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008365:Manometry; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011788:Quality of Life; D020521:Stroke / Q000503:physiopathology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014059:Tongue / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000502:physiology*; D016896:Treatment Outcome