Effectiveness of self-administered tongue pressing effortful swallow exercise on orofacial muscle strength and swallow function in healthy older Indian adults: A preliminary study.

Building a functional reserve of lip and tongue through muscle-strengthening exercises is essential in older adults to prevent the changes in swallow function that occur with age. This study aimed to assess the effectiveness of self-administered TPES (Tongue Pressing Effortful Swallow) exercise on lip strength and endurance (LS, LE), anterior and posterior tongue strength and endurance (ATS, ATE, PTS & PTE), which was quantified using IOPI (Iowa Oral Performance Instrument), and on swallow safety and efficiency, assessed using the Fiberoptic Endoscopic Evaluation of Swallowing (FEES) in healthy older adults. A total of twenty participants within the age range of 60-73 years (66.8 +_4.1) were involved in this study. Participants performed TPES at home for 12 sessions (weekly thrice for four weeks). Paired sample t-test revealed a significant increase in LS, ATS and PTS (p < 0.05) post- exercise. There was a significant reduction in post-swallow residue score as well. It can be concluded that TPES is effective in improving lip-tongue strength and residue clearance.