The Effect of Different Self-Administered Tongue Exercises on Tongue Strength and Endurance in Older Adults

Abstract

Background: Self-administered tongue exercises (TEs) are proposed as an effective, low-cost and convenient intervention for improving maximum tongue strength and endurance. However, age-related factors make self-administered TEs more challenging for older individuals. Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the effects of self-administered TEs on maximum tongue strength and endurance in older individuals. Material and Methods: Seventy-two healthy volunteers, both young and older groups, were randomly allocated to three self-administered TE groups: tongue wrap, tongue corner and tongue paint. Maximum tongue strength and tongue endurance were assessed at baseline (T0) and after 4 weeks of training (T1) using the Iowa Oral Performance Instrument (IOPI). The Wilcoxon signed-rank test was used to compare pre- and post-intervention outcomes within groups, and the Kruskal–Wallis test was used to compare gains among groups. Results: After 4 weeks of self-administered TEs, the average gains in maximum tongue strength and endurance did not differ significantly between young and older participants. The gains in maximum tongue strength for young and older participants were as follows: tongue wrap (7.7 vs. 3.3 kPa, p = 0.2), tongue corner (4.0 vs. 1.7 kPa, p = 0.6) and tongue paint (3.5 vs. 3.7 kPa, p = 1.0). For tongue endurance, young and older participants gained 3.9 vs. 13.0 s (p = 0.2), 1.3 vs. 11.0 s (p = 0.1) and 3.8 vs. −0.2 s (p = 0.5), respectively. While the tongue paint exercise resulted in the highest gains in maximum tongue strength, and the tongue wrap exercise showed the greatest improvement in tongue endurance among older adults, these differences were not statistically significant. Conclusion: Four weeks of self-administered TEs had a positive impact on tongue strength and endurance in older individuals. Although our findings are most compatible with no important difference among exercise types in the older, notable patterns suggest potential benefits. Future studies should explore optimal exercise intensity and duration to maximise effectiveness.