Measurement of maximum tongue protrusion force (MTPF) in healthy young adults

Force, alternate movements, snap, suction and vibration functions of tongue are altered in oral submucous fibrosis patients

Background

One of the most common clinical manifestations of oral submucous fibrosis (OSMF) is restricted tongue movements. However, the characterization of involvement is needed to better understand the impairment of its functioning. In the present study, force, alternate movements, snap, suction, and vibration functions of the tongue were investigated in OSMF patients.

Methods

A total of 53 OSMF and 40 healthy individuals were recruited in the present study. Clinical parameters were used for the diagnosis and grading of OSMF. Alternate movements, snap, suction, vibration of the tongue and tongue force were assessed using standard methodology.

Results

Out of 53 OSMF subjects, 22 (42%) were in early stages and 31 (58%) in late stages. There were statistically significant differences between the OSMF and healthy individuals for tongue functions such as protrusion, retraction, lateral movements, altered snap, suction, and tongue vibration (p < 0.00001). All of the aforementioned tongue functions were more affected in advanced stage OSMF than in early stage OSMF (p < 0.00001).

Conclusion

Force, alternate movements, snap, suction and vibration functions of tongue are significantly altered in OSMF patients. The performance of the tongue movements by the OSMF subjects worsened with the disease progression.

Assessment of muscular tone of the tongue using a digital measure spoon in a healthy population: A pilot study

The study of the muscles of the tongue forms part of a basic evaluation of upper airway function that includes swallowing, speaking and chewing. It is important because the upper airway presents a region of collapse during sleep. Through the action of the dilator muscles, mainly the genioglossus, such collapse can be prevented. In this study, we present a simple tool that can be used to measure the strength of the tongue. This tool may provide an easy way to measure tongue function and allow a simple evaluation of pathologies that affect the tone of the tongue. We have carried out 20 tongue strength measurements using the Tongue Digital Spoon (TDS) in a healthy adult population, using the Iowa Oral Performance Instrument (IOPI) as the gold standard. To validate the procedure, we performed replicate measurements on 20 individuals aged 20-70 years. We found a mean TDS measurement of 115.99 g/cm2 in young subjects, 98.47 g/cm2 in middle-aged subjects and 84.23 g/cm2 in the elderly. There was a significant difference in the measurements between young and elderly participants. There was also a significant correlation between TDS and IOPI measurements (Pearson correlation coefficient, r = 0.69, P < 0.001). We found the TDS to be a useful tool in daily clinical practice for the measurement of the strength of the tongue in the healthy population. It has potential application in oropharyngeal monitoring and rehabilitation.

Measurement of maximum tongue protrusion force (MTPF) in healthy young adults

We propose that tongue protrusive strength and tone may be related to upper airway patency, and when protrusive strength is reduced, individuals are at higher risk of developing sleep apnea, or speech/swallow disorders. The goal of the current study was to determine normative values of maximum tongue protrusion force (MTPF) in healthy young adults, using a unique newly developed device. We hypothesized that MTPF would be greater in males than in females. One hundred and one healthy young adults (mean age: 22.99 years; male: 23, female: 78) participated in this study. The subjects pushed their tongue forward against the device’s piston (protrusion) as hard as possible for 2–5 sec and MTPF was recorded in Newtons (N). A minimum of 5 MTPF measurements were obtained with 1–2 min rest between measurements. The average MTPF for all subjects was 15.4 N (SD: ±3.8), with a range of 8–29. The male average MTPF was higher than female (17.8 N, SD: ±3.7 vs. 14.7 N, SD: ±3.5; P = 0.001). There was no significant difference for age between males and females; males had significantly greater height and weight. The results demonstrate our novel device can effectively measure tongue protrusive force in healthy young adults. This study provides normative values for MTPF, and identified significant tongue protrusion strength differences between males and females.