Tongue Strength and Endurance in Healthy Brazilian Adults Measured with the IOWA Oral Performance Instrument.

Abstract

Introduction: The tongue is one of the most important organs in the swallowing process, since impaired tongue function can decrease swallowing effectiveness and safety. Therefore, assessing tongue function is essential to help determine and treat swallowing disorders.

Objectives: To assess tongue strength and endurance in healthy Brazilian adults and to analyze likely variations related to age range and sex.

Methods: In total, 219 individuals > 18 years old, equally divided into age groups (18 to 39 years old, 40 to 60 years old, and > 60 years old, each group comprising 73 individuals), were assessed using the Iowa Oral Performance Instrument (IOPI) to measure tongue strength and endurance.

Results: Tongue strength was significantly lower in older individuals (45.84 kilopascals [kPa]) than in the younger groups (54.16 kPa for young individuals and 54.36 kPa for middle-aged individuals). Similarly, tongue endurance was significantly lower in older individuals. Regarding sex, the assessed parameter only presented significant difference between men and women in the young adult group (men recorded tongue strength 10 kPa higher than that of women).

Conclusion: Normal values for tongue strength in the healthy Brazilian population were established. These values changed based on age group as older individuals presented lower tongue strength and endurance than younger ones. These results highlight the importance of taking age and sex into consideration when assessing tongue strength.