The Effect of Tongue Vibration Exercise Combined With Oromotor Training on Tongue Function in Older Adults.

Background: Vibration can stimulate the neuromuscular system through various frequencies and amplitudes, leading to increased muscle strength. Therefore, by applying vibration to the tongue, we anticipate that tongue vibration exercise will effectively enhance tongue muscle strength, similar to the effects of local vibration.

Objectives: This study assessed the effectiveness of tongue vibration exercises in healthy older individuals to improve tongue function, focusing on increasing tongue muscle strength and oral motor coordination.

Methods: The study encompassed 50 participants aged more than 65 years, segregated into an experimental group and a control group. The experimental group comprised 37 participants, while the control group consisted of 13 participants. The experimental group participated in a 12-week tongue vibration exercise training. The control group received a home programme for oromotor exercise. Both groups received assessments at baseline and after intervention, which included measurements of tongue muscle strength, labial muscle strength, tongue length, mouth opening distance, and tongue diadochokinetic rate.

Results: The experimental group demonstrated a significant improvement in tongue muscle strength (p < 0.0001), and the between-group difference in tongue muscle strength after 12 weeks of training also showed a significant difference (p = 0.0003).

Conclusion: Tongue vibration exercise training was effective in enhancing tongue muscle strength among healthy older individuals. This suggests that tongue vibration exercise may help preserve tongue strength in older adults, which could support oral motor function and reduce the risk of age-related functional decline.