Motor Imagery Practice and Increased Tongue Strength: A Case Series Feasibility Report

Abstract

Purpose: The aim of the study was to determine the effects of a 6-week progressive resistance tongue exercise protocolin mental practice form on tongue strength. Investigationbegins in typically aging adults, a population susceptible toreduced tongue strength and dysphagia secondary to agerelatedchanges in the swallowing mechanism. It washypothesized that typically aging adults who perform a 6-weekprogressive resistance tongue exercise protocol in mentalpractice form would increase tongue strength. Method: A prospective, case series intervention study wasused. Six healthy women aged 53–78 years completed a6-week mental practice tongue resistance exercise programutilizing motor imagery to imagine completion of tongueexercises. The main outcome was mean isometric maximumtongue pressures (tongue strength), which were collectedat baseline and Weeks 2, 4, and 6 using the Iowa OralPerformance Instrument (IOPI Medical, 2013). Results: By Week 6 of the study, all participants hadsignificantly increased their tongue strength compared tobaseline. Conclusions: The findings indicate that mental practiceusing motor imagery for tongue exercise may improvetongue strength in healthy individuals at risk for dysphagiaand may thus represent a promising direction warrantingfurther investigation in typically aging individuals andpatients with dysphagia and decreased tongue strength.