Effect of tongue-to-palate resistance training on tongue strength in healthy adults

Objective: Tongue strength is crucial for safe and efficient oropharyngeal swallowing. This study examined the effect of tongue-to-palate resistance training (TPRT) on anterior and posterior tongue strength by conducting a prospective, randomized, parallel allocation trial. Methods: Ninety-one healthy adults were recruited in this study and were randomly assigned to an experimental group (n = 44) or a control group (n = 47). The experimental group performed TPRT for 8 weeks (5 days per week), whereas the control group performed the usual daily activities. Tongue strength was measured using the Iowa Oral Performance Instrument (IOPI) before and after the practice program was conducted at weeks 2, 4, 6, and 8, to evaluate the feasibility of the developed training protocol. Results: This experimental group demonstrated more improvements in both anterior tongue strength (p < .05 ) and posterior tongue strength (p < .05 ). The positive effects of the intervention on tongue strength appeared at 8 weeks for the anterior region and 2 weeks for the posterior region. Conclusions: These findings illustrate that TPRT can improve tongue strength. It is suggested that people integrate this exercise protocol into their daily life, positive change in tongue strength may prevent or halt presbyphagia. (c) 2020 Oto-Rhino-Laryngological Society of Japan Inc. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.