Relation Among Age, Gender, and Oral/Palatal Dimensions on Anterior and Posterior Lingual-Palatal Pressures in Healthy Adults

• Other Authors: Gingrich, Laura L. (Laura Lerette) (authoraut)
• Format: Others
• Language: English; English
• Published: Florida State University
• Subjects: Communication; Communicative disorders
• Online Access: http://purl.flvc.org/fsu/fd/FSU_migr_etd-4865

Purpose: To investigate lingual-palatal pressures generated along the antero-posterior length of the tongue by younger and older adults for Maximum Isometric tongue Pressure (MIP) and swallowing tasks (LSP), and to explore the relation between oral/palatal dimensions and lingual-palatal pressure generation. Method: Lingual-palatal pressures at anteromedian and posteromedian tongue bulb positions were obtained via the Iowa Oral Performance Instrument (IOPI) for 120 healthy subjects in two gender-balanced groups: younger adults (18 - 34 yrs) and 60 older adults (50 - 83 yrs). Oral and palatal dimensions were directly measured from dental impressions and tongue volume was estimated by equation. Results: MIP was significantly greater at the anteromedian bulb location, for young adults, and for males; however, a three-way interaction existed at the posteromedian bulb location. Mean LSP for thin liquids were greater at the anteromedian than the posteromedian and older adults exhibited greater LSP at the posteromedian position than anteromedian position for puree boluses. Higher Percentage of Maximum isometric Tongue Pressure (PMTP) was employed at the posteromedian position for puree boluses without further antero-posterior differences by consistency. Both LSP and PMTP increased with viscosity; however, younger adults exhibited more accommodation to viscosity than older adults. Significant, moderate relations existed between MIP and palatal width, estimated tongue volume, and oral cavity volumes; however, all significant relations between oral/palatal dimensions and either LSP or PMTP were small. Conclusion: Normal aging exhibits preferential decline in anteromedian MIP compared to posteromedian MIP, diminished gender differences in anteromedian and posteromedian MIP along the length of the tongue, and a decline in accommodation to viscosity, predominantly by the anterior tongue. Aging patterns may help identify individuals who may be vulnerable to lingual weakness and may distinguish normal age-related changes from disordered lingual function along the antero-posterior dimension of the tongue. === A Dissertation submitted to the School of Communication Science and Disorders in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy. === Fall Semester, 2011. === October 14, 2011. === age, anterior, lingual-palatal pressure, posterior, swallowing, tongue === Includes bibliographical references. === Julie A. G. Stierwalt, Professor Directing Dissertation; Charles C. Ouimet, University Representative; Leonard L. LaPointe, Committee Member; Carla Wood Jackson, Committee Member; Carlin F. Hageman, Committee Member.