A Study of Tongue Strength and Endurance Using the Iowa Oral Performance Instrument (IOPI) Tongue Strength Trainer in People With Oral Tongue Cance

Launched by MEMORIAL SLOAN KETTERING CANCER CENTER · Aug 8, 2025

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This clinical trial is studying tongue strength and how long the tongue can hold pressure in people with tongue cancer. Researchers are using a special device called the Iowa Oral Performance Instrument (IOPI) to measure how strong the tongue is by checking the pressure it can create. The goal is to better understand tongue function in people who are preparing for surgery to remove part of their tongue due to cancer.

People who might be eligible for this study are adults 18 years and older who are scheduled to have surgery to remove part of their tongue because of cancer. The surgery can be one of several types, but it should not involve removing large parts of the tongue or jawbone. People who have had previous radiation or surgery for mouth or head and neck cancer, or who rely on feeding tubes before surgery, cannot join. If you take part, you will have your tongue strength tested with the IOPI device before and after surgery. This study is currently looking for participants, and it includes both men and women between the ages of 65 and 74.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • Age ≥18 years old
• • Scheduled to undergo primary surgery for oral tongue cancer (glossectomy types 1 to 3) using any type of closure or reconstruction
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • Previous radiation therapy to the oral cavity or head and neck
• • Previous surgery for oral cavity cancer
• • Recurrent oral cavity cancer
• • Surgical requirement of extension to involve bone (mandible resection)
• • Subtotal or total glossectomy
• • Feeding tube dependance prior to surgery