OBJECTIVE:
This study examined how changes in the volume, texture, and
taste of
food affect the variation of
tongue pressure during the
swallowing of
food in healthy
adults.
METHODS:
Fifty-four
healthy subjects participated in this study. The
tongue pressure was measured using an
Iowa Oral. Performance Instrument (IOPI) during
swallowing of
food in 54 healthy
adults. The
food bolus with modified volumes (3, 5, 10, and 15 ml), textures (
water, puree, and cracker), and
tastes (
pure water, sour
taste, sweet
taste, and salty
taste) were provided and the variation of the
tongue pressure was traced during the
swallowing of
food.
RESULTS:
The
tongue pressure changed significantly when the volume of
food chunks increased. When the texture of
food was modified, the
tongue pressure was significantly different when
swallowing a cracker than when
swallowing water and puree. In addition, the
tongue pressure was increased more by a sour
taste liquid than
pure water or sweet
taste liquid.
CONCLUSION:
When
swallowing food, the
tongue pressure at the appropriate level is essential for safe
swallowing. Because modification of the volume, texture, and
taste of
food can induce the variation of
tongue pressure, it can be recommended as an effective
therapeutic method that can move
food in the
mouth.