Motor Imagery Practice and Increased Tongue Strength: A Case Series Feasibility Report

Abstract

Purpose The aim of the study was to determine the effects of a 6-week progressive resistance tongue exercise protocol in mental practice form on tongue strength. Investigation begins in typically aging adults, a population susceptible to reduced tongue strength and dysphagia secondary to age-related changes in the swallowing mechanism. It was hypothesized that typically aging adults who perform a 6-week progressive resistance tongue exercise protocol in mental practice form would increase tongue strength. Method A prospective, case series intervention study was used. Six healthy women aged 53–78 years completed a 6-week mental practice tongue resistance exercise program utilizing motor imagery to imagine completion of tongue exercises. The main outcome was mean isometric maximum tongue pressures (tongue strength), which were collected at baseline and Weeks 2, 4, and 6 using the Iowa Oral Performance Instrument ( IOPI Medical, 2013 ). Results By Week 6 of the study, all participants had significantly increased their tongue strength compared to baseline. Conclusions The findings indicate that mental practice using motor imagery for tongue exercise may improve tongue strength in healthy individuals at risk for dysphagia and may thus represent a promising direction warranting further investigation in typically aging individuals and patients with dysphagia and decreased tongue strength.

Mental Practice Using Motor Imagery in Dysphagia Rehabilitation: A Survey of Practicing Speech-Language Pathologists

“…However, the high level of interest in the present preliminary data and emerging evidence involving the use of MP in the area of dysphagia signals the need for increased support, evidence, and training opportunities for SLPs specifically interested in implementing MP exercise concepts in intervention management plans. 22,[24][25][26][27][28]30 LIMITATIONS These data are best viewed as preliminary findings given the small sample size of survey respondents. The sample of participants in the present survey study represents the different geographic regions of the United States fairly well; however, more information is needed from the Pacific, Mountain West, Midwest, and South Atlantic regions of the United States as well as data from different countries, to better understand any relationship between geographical location and knowledge/practice patterns of MP.…”

“…14 Speechlanguage pathology (SLP) is situated in an exciting position within this interdisciplinary area of interest, as knowledge specific to MP and SLP is limited, but the promising clinical potential is starting to be recognized and explored. 21,22 For example, investigation of improving lingual strength in typically aging individuals using MP have been initiated, though research in persons with dysphagia is needed. 22 Researchers are also starting to consider application of MP for motor speech impairment poststroke, highlighting the decades of evidence in other fields to support investigation of MP incorporation in management plans.…”

“…21,22 For example, investigation of improving lingual strength in typically aging individuals using MP have been initiated, though research in persons with dysphagia is needed. 22 Researchers are also starting to consider application of MP for motor speech impairment poststroke, highlighting the decades of evidence in other fields to support investigation of MP incorporation in management plans. 21 Specific to the area of dysphagia rehabilitation, there is a growing body of evidence showing similar neural substrates are shared between motor imagery and motor execution of swallowing and swallowingrelated tasks, as well as supporting the potential benefit in using MP as a clinical tool.…”

“…21 Specific to the area of dysphagia rehabilitation, there is a growing body of evidence showing similar neural substrates are shared between motor imagery and motor execution of swallowing and swallowingrelated tasks, as well as supporting the potential benefit in using MP as a clinical tool. [22][23][24][25][26][27][28][29][30] For example, Kober and colleagues have shown that swallowing in motor imagery form activates much of the swallowing network throughout the entire brain, suggesting that future studies are needed in persons with dysphagia. 25 Given the promising trends for using MP in dysphagia rehabilitation, we need to better understand the current knowledge and practice, as there is a low presence of this topic in SLP literature, discussion boards, and/or conference sessions.…”

Assessment of Motor Cortex in Active, Passive and Imagery Wrist Movement using Functional MRI

“…Moreover, motor imagery has several similarities with movement execution, including behavioral [7] and physiological parameters [8] and importantly, the functional neuroanatomical correlations [9][10][11][12]. In addition, mental exercise, which is learning with motor imagery, has been widely used in sports training and rehabilitation [9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16][17][18][19][20]. From three proposed procedures, motor imagery training is possibly the most extensively applied procedure in rehabilitation due to its successful applications in scientific training of sports [9].…”