Correlation between tongue pressure and electrical activity of the suprahyoid muscles

Abstract

Objective: to investigate the correlation between the tongue pressure and the electrical activity of the suprahyoid muscles. Methods: a across-sectional, observational and analytical study conducted with 15 men and 22 women. Each participant underwent simultaneous assessment of maximal tongue pressure through the Iowa Oral Performance Instrument (IOPI) and the surface electromyography of the suprahyoid muscles. They were asked to press the tongue against the hard palate in the anterior and posterior region, with and without IOPI. The adopted significance level of the performed analyses was 5%.Results: there was a moderate and significant correlation only between suprahyoid electrical activity and tongue pressure in the posterior region. It was verified that the measured electrical potentials, when using the IOPI, were greater in the tasks of anterior pressure than in the tasks of the posterior one, bilaterally. Without using the IOPI, the electrical potentials were greater in the posterior pressure than in the anterior one, bilaterally. Finally, the values of lingual pressure were compared with the bulb positioned in the anterior and posterior parts, and the anterior tongue pressure was higher. Conclusion: there was a moderate correlation between tongue pressure and electrical potential of the suprahyoid muscles, researched by the surface electromyography, only when performing activities with the posterior portion of the tongue.

Pressure and resistance of the lips in subjects with and without occlusal change

“…IOPI is an apparatus that aims to demonstrate the pressure and resistance of lips through the numbers in the unit kiloPascal (kPa) .This instrument consists of a yield meter which allows the visualization of the force exerted on the air sensor, sensors (bulbs), the connection pipe connecting the sensor to the meter, and a syringe for a pressure check. It is noteworthy that, for this study, the device was calibrated as directed by manual 19,20 every use in ten subjects.…”

Tongue coupling as a therapeutic strategy: electromyographic analysis of different training approaches

“…They were placed bilaterally on the skin, parallel to the anterior belly of the digastric muscle, a little below the mentalis muscle, and anteriorly to the neck -a position compatible with the region of the suprahyoid musculature 12 (FIGURE 1a). Each participant was asked to press the tongue strongly against the hard palate, so as to achieve a better visualization of the region and locate the most prominent area 7 . A reference electrode (connected to the ground wire) was placed on the region of the sternum to avoid electromagnetic interference (FIGURE 1b).…”

“…The first enables the tongue to move in all directions, whereas the second is responsible for changing the shape of this organ into tapered, flattened, folded, and so on 4,5 . There is also evidence of the elevation of the floor of the mouth while sucking the tongue against the palate, showing the active participation of the suprahyoid musculature when performing this exercise 6 , though the main musculature is not in action 7 .…”

“…SEMG is a resource used to quantitatively analyze muscle electrical activity, helping understand the muscle electrical activity patterns in the stomatognathic system in general 18 and the suprahyoid musculature 7 . It is described in the literature as one of the technological resources used to complement clinical assessment, as well as to receive biofeedback in orofacial myofunctional disorder therapy 19 .…”

“…The tongue had to be pressed against the anterior and posterior hard palate with the IOPI for 2 and 10 seconds in the SEMG assessment. According to the authors, there is a moderate correlation between tongue pressure and the electrical potential of the muscle in question only when the posterior part of the tongue is used 7 .…”