title: Immediate effects of acupuncture on tongue pressure including swallowing reflex latency in Parkinson's disease.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  It is important to evaluate tongue function in terms of its clinical implications for swallowing ability. Motor dysfunction and loss of coordination of the tongue are frequently seen, and this influences the oral and pharyngeal phases of swallowing. The purpose of this pilot study was to evaluate the effect of a single acupuncture treatment for tongue pressure in Parkinson's disease.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 13 patients, aged 57- 84 years, were recruited. Tongue pressure was measured using a tongue pressure manometer. Furthermore, swallowing reflex latency was measured in 3 of the 13 patients.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Significant changes were seen after acupuncture in mean tongue pressure, which increased from 23.1 to 26.7 kPa (p<0.01). Reductions were seen after acupuncture in mean swallowing reflex latency (from 5.2 to 4.6 s for first saliva swallow; from 19.9 to 15.7 s for second saliva swallow; and from 10.4 to 5.7 s for third saliva swallow(s)).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our study's findings suggest that acupuncture may be useful for improving oral cavity function, but further controlled trials are needed.
authors: Department of Health Promoting and Geriatric Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Meiji University of Integrative Medicine, Kyoto, Japan.
authors: Shimpei
authors: http://orcid.org/0000-0001-8229-5188
authors: S
authors: Fukuda
authors: Department of Epidemiology for Community health and Medicine, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, Kyoto, Japan.
authors: Nagato
authors: N
authors: Kuriyama
authors: Department of Health Promoting and Geriatric Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Meiji University of Integrative Medicine, Kyoto, Japan.
authors: Hiroyuki
authors: H
authors: Tsuru
authors: Department of Health Promoting and Geriatric Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Meiji University of Integrative Medicine, Kyoto, Japan.
authors: Masato
authors: M
authors: Egawa
mesh_terms: D015670:Acupuncture Therapy; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003679:Deglutition; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010300:Parkinson Disease / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012018:Reflex; D014059:Tongue / Q000737:chemistry*
keywords: ACUPUNCTURE