Analysis of Labial and Lingual Strength among Healthy Chinese Adults in Taiwan

Abstract

This study collected 11 parameters regarding the labial and lingual strength for maximum isometric and swallowing tasks among 150 healthy Chinese adults in Taiwan. Measurements were performed using the Iowa Oral Performance Instrument (IOPI). All of the labial and lingual strength parameters were measured three times. The maximal value of three trials represents the pressure of every parameter. The overall mean (±standard deviation) and maximum isometric pressures of the lips, anterior tongue, and posterior tongue were 24.81 ± 5.64, 55.95 ± 14.13, and 53.23 ± 12.24 kPa, respectively. The mean value of posterior tongue strength was less than that of the anterior tongue by approximately 5%. The percentages of maximum isometric tongue pressure during the swallowing of saliva and water were 85% and 80% for the anterior tongue and 90% and 81% for the posterior tongue, respectively. The average endurances for the anterior tongue and posterior tongue were 13.86 ± 7.08 and 10.06 ± 5.40 s, respectively. The maximum isometric pressures were greater than both the saliva and water swallowing pressures, and the saliva swallowing pressures were greater than the water swallowing pressures. A value of 33 kPa in maximum isometric pressure could serve as a demarcation of weak tongue strength for healthy Chinese adults. As for the repeated trials of labial and lingual strength, there were no statistically significant differences for any of the pressures obtained from the 11 labial and lingual strength parameters. The normative data can be used for the objective assessment of labial and lingual strength in healthy Chinese adults.

Age and Sex-Related Differences in the Tongue Pressure Generated during Maximum Isometric and Swallowing Tasks by Healthy Chinese Adults

“…These non-muscular tissues may cause age-related reductions in orofacial muscle tone [1,24]. The regression of MIP ant (−0.22) and MIP post (−0.26) as a consequence of age was significant and lower than values reported in some previous studies [4,5], but larger than the values reported by Clark and Solomon (−0.12, −0.14) [16]. These differences may originate from the racial variation.…”

“…The included participants reported good lip, teeth, tongue, palate, and chewing function. An in-depth interview revealed that none of the participants had a history or current diagnosis of neurological disease, head and neck surgery or injury, or other oral conditions that may impact lingual function [16].…”

“…This article reports the results of a substudy of the norm data, which investigated the tongue pressure among Chinese people in Taiwan [16]. The aim of this particular substudy is to determine the associations of age, sex, BMI, different pressure generating tasks, and areas of the tongue with the pressure that is generated.…”

Tongue cleaning in the elderly and its role in the respiratory and swallowing functions: Benefits and medical perspectives

“…72 A study of healthy Chinese adults reported that the average maximum pressure of anterior and posterior tongue were 55.95 ± 14.13, and 53.23 ± 12.24 kPa, respectively. 73 A tongue pressure of >30 kPa is diagnosed as normal. 8 Tongue pressure of <20 kPa was observed frequently in patients with swallowing dysfunction.…”

Maximum isometric tongue strength and tongue endurance in healthy adults

“…Optimal tongue strength and endurance are crucial factors for normal swallowing movements 1,2 . The oral phase of swallowing can be compromised in patients with reduced tongue strength 3,4 …”