Standard Values of Maximum Tongue Pressure Taken Using Newly Developed Disposable Tongue Pressure Measurement Device

Abstract

It is clinically important to evaluate tongue function in terms of rehabilitation of swallowing and eating ability. We have developed a disposable tongue pressure measurement device designed for clinical use. In this study we used this device to determine standard values of maximum tongue pressure in adult Japanese. Eight hundred fifty-three subjects (408 male, 445 female; 20-79 years) were selected for this study. All participants had no history of dysphagia and maintained occlusal contact in the premolar and molar regions with their own teeth. A balloon-type disposable oral probe was used to measure tongue pressure by asking subjects to compress it onto the palate for 7 s with maximum voluntary effort. Values were recorded three times for each subject, and the mean values were defined as maximum tongue pressure. Although maximum tongue pressure was higher for males than for females in the 20-49-year age groups, there was no significant difference between males and females in the 50-79-year age groups. The maximum tongue pressure of the seventies age group was significantly lower than that of the twenties to fifties age groups. It may be concluded that maximum tongue pressures were reduced with primary aging. Males may become weaker with age at a faster rate than females; however, further decreases in strength were in parallel for male and female subjects.

Comparison of masticatory performance and tongue pressure between children and young adults

“…The maximum tongue pressure in females had the highest value at Stage III B. Utanohara et al (2008) reported that the mean maximum tongue pressure was around 35 kPa among Japanese females aged 20–30 years. In this study, the mean maximum tongue pressure in Stage VA females was 30.503 kPa, although that in Stage III B females was 36.877 kPa.…”

“…Several studies showed that maximum tongue pressure remained constant from 20s to 60s and started to decrease from the 70s in females (Utanohara et al, 2008; Vanderwegen et al, 2013). We suggest that females need training with respect to tongue pressure, by the mixed dentition stage, to increase the peak of tongue pressure.…”

A model experiment to understand the oral phase of swallowing of Newtonian liquids

“…Other groups (Nicosia et al, 2000;Youmans and Stierwalt, 2006) reported previously similar figures and highlighted also that pressure varies along the tongue position and is higher at the back. The mean peak tongue pressure 20 was also found to remain similar across different age groups, although maximum tongue strength was found to decrease with age (Youmans and Stierwalt, 2006;Utanohara et al, 2008). Clavé et al (2006) showed that brain damage or neurodegenerative conditions result in decreased tongue pressure, decreased bolus kinetic energy and increased transit time.…”

Métodos quantitativos para avaliação da força de língua

“…Bulbos preenchidos por ar são difíceis de serem ajustados devido a estes escorregarem facilmente na superfície da língua e o tubo conector não ter marcações para indicar a posição do mesmo depois do fechamento dos lábios. Além disso, este tipo de instrumento deveria conter um sistema de pressurização como proposto na literatura 25 , para manter o bulbo inflado com ar à mesma pressão antes de cada medição.…”