Effect of Biofeedback Tongue Strengthening Program on Tongue Pressure and Swallowing Performance

Launched by MAHIDOL UNIVERSITY · Jul 15, 2025

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This study is testing whether a tongue-strengthening program with real-time feedback can improve tongue strength and swallowing in older adults who have weaker tongue muscles. People aged 60 and older with abnormal tongue pressure (anterior maximum tongue pressure averaging less than 30 kPa) are eligible. Participants are randomly assigned to either a strengthening training group or an endurance training group, both using biofeedback and conducted three times a week for four weeks. The trial is double-blind, so neither participants nor the people assessing the results know which training group each person is in. Exclusion criteria include head or neck cancer, certain neurological conditions, or other issues that could affect tongue strength. The study is at Mahidol University in Salaya, Thailand, and plans to enroll about 52 participants.

Participants will have tongue strength and swallowing tests at baseline, after one day of training, and after one month. They will use the Iowa Oral Performance Instrument (IOPI) to measure tongue pressure, and complete several swallowing-related measures: EAT-10 (a symptom questionnaire), FOIS (how well they can eat and drink), MASA (a swallowing assessment), and a water swallowing test. Results are not yet available, and the study is currently enrolling with an estimated completion around March 2026. IPD sharing is undecided.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • Aged 60 years or older.
• • No cognitive impairment, as screened by the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) with a score of 24 or higher.
• • Elderly with abnormal tongue pressure have an anterior maximum isometric tongue pressure (MIP) average of less than 30 kilopascals.
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • Diagnosed with head and neck cancers, a neurological disorder, or other conditions that affect the tongue muscle strength and training.