Tongue pressure measurement for diagnosing the dysphagia in the elderly

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This study was aimed to develop the tongue pressure measurement procedure as a diagnostic system of dysphagia in the elderly. We used an originally developed sensor sheet system for measuring tongue pressure dining swallowing in the healthy subjects and dysphagic patents with stroke or Parkinson's Disease. As results of analysis of the state of tongue pressure production during swallowing, we found a lot of findings which could be the basis for developing diagnostic criteria of dysphagia as bellows.1. It was secured that our sensor sheet system could be used for tongue pressure measurement like as an experimental palatal plate with pressure sensors.2. There were differences in the tongue pressure production during swallowing between young adult subjects and elderly subjects. Maximal magnitude of tongue pressure along the median line in the elderly was smaller than that in young adults. Duration of tongue pressure at each sensing point in the elderly was longer than that in young adults.3. Maximal tongue pressure during swallowing in the paralyzed side of acute stroke patients was smaller than that in non-paralyzed side.4. Maximal tongue pressure during swallowing at the posterior-circumferential part in patients with Parkinson's Disease was smaller than that in normal subjects. Duration of tongue pressure at each sensing point in patients with Parkinson's Disease was shorter than that in normal subjects.5. These findings suggested the possibility of developing diagnostic criteria of dysphagia by tongue pressure measurement.6. There was a sequential coordination among tongue pressure production, EMG activity of swallow related muscles and swallowing sound, which suggested the possibility of comprehensive evaluation system of oro-pharyngeal swallow.