ABSTRACT

Objective : This study aims to investigate the effect of an 8-weak tongue pressure resistance training protocol onthe tongue strength, overall swallowing function, and dietary stage in chronic stroke patients with dysphagia. Methods : The subjects of this study were seventy-five dysphagia patients who were divided into an experimentalgroup and a control group from August 2013 to February 2014. Both groups received traditional dysphagiarehabilitation therapy and the experimental group received an additional tongue pressure resistance exercise usingthe Iowa Oral Performance Instrument (IOPI). IOPI was used for a change in muscle strength of the tongue, andVDS & ASHA NOMS based on VFSS were used for changes in the overall swallowing function and dietary stage. Results : The experimental group, which underwent tongue pressure resistance training, did not have a cleardifference in tongue strength, swallowing function, and dietary stage effect compared to the control group. Theresults were as follows. 1) There were significant differences between the experimental and control groups in themuscle strength change at the anterior and posterior of the tongue (p<.05). 2) There were also significantdifferences between both group sin terms of change sin their swallowing function and dietary stage (p<.05). 3) Inaddition, variations before and after intervention showed no statistically significant difference for either group. Conclusion : This study was unable to verify the effect of tongue pressure resistance training on the musclestrength of tongue, swallowing function, or dietary stage of chronic stroke patients with dysphagia when comparedwith the results of the control group. Future studies should verify the effect using a protocol with a modificationin the intervention period and amount of training.