Tongue Pressure Variations Based on Oral and Other Conditions

Objectives: Exploring tongue pressure changes in relation to demographic factors and oral conditions is advantageous for dysphagia rehabilitation of elderly patients. The purpose of this study was to determine the influence of age, gender, and body mass index (BMI) on tongue pressure and to evaluate the correlation between tongue pressure and oral conditions such as tongue volume (TV), the cross-sectional area (CSA) of the masseter muscle, the maximum occlusal force (MOF), and the occlusal contact area (OCA) in healthy individuals. Additionally, the correlation between maximum tongue pressure (MTP) and swallowing tongue pressure (STP) was also analysed.
Methods: Ten healthy young individuals (≤ 40 years) and 10 healthy elderly individuals (≥ 60 years) with normal oral structures and swallowing function were included in this study. TV (cm³) and CSA of masseter muscle (cm²) were evaluated using the MRI data of each participant. MOF (N) and OCA (mm²) were calculated using an occlusal force analysis system. MTP and STP (kPa) were measured by using the tongue pressure measurement device.
Results: The results showed that age had a significant effect on MTP, and it was indicated that 0.325 kPa of MTP was reduced in elderly individuals. Moreover, there were significant positive correlations between MTP and oral conditions such as CSA of the masseter muscle, and MOF. Regarding STP, no variables were significantly correlated with STP. However, there was a positive correlation between MTP and STP.
Conclusions: It can be concluded that MTP is age-dependent and STP could be sustained at a certain level for a lifetime, and there was a significant positive correlation between MTP and STP. Moreover, it can also be concluded that oral conditions such as CSA of the masseter muscle, and MOF have a considerable effect on MTP.