Tongue measures in individuals with normal and impaired swallowing.
OBJECTIVE
This investigation sought to add to the extant literature on measures of normal tongue function, to provide information on measures of tongue function in a group of individuals with oral phase dysphagia, and to provide a comparison of these 2 groups matched for age and gender.


METHODS
The Iowa Oral Performance Instrument was utilized to measure tongue function (strength and endurance) in a group of individuals with normal (N=200) and impaired (N=50) swallowing. The peak measure of 3 encouraged trials was recorded as participants' strength, and 50% of their peak was sustained as long as possible for endurance.


RESULTS
Results for the control group supported previous investigations wherein greater tongue strength was found in males than in females and in the youngest versus oldest groups. The experimental group demonstrated a similar trend in strength for gender. When matched for age and gender, the experimental group demonstrated significantly lower strength. Significant differences were not revealed on measures of tongue endurance.


CONCLUSIONS
We were able to extend the normative database on tongue function and document reduced tongue strength in a group of individuals with dysphagia. The findings provide evidence that in this group, tongue weakness coincided with signs of dysphagia, adding justification for tongue-strengthening protocols.
Stierwalt
Julie A G
JA
325 Regional Rehab Center, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL 32306, USA. julie.stierwalt@comm.fsu.edu
Youmans
Scott R
SR
D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003679:Deglutition / Q000502:physiology; D003680:Deglutition Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D016555:Matched-Pair Analysis; D008875:Middle Aged; D053580:Muscle Strength; D012016:Reference Values; D012737:Sex Factors; D012815:Signal Processing, Computer-Assisted; D014059:Tongue / Q000503:physiopathology*; D014160:Transducers, Pressure