Association between Tongue Pressure and Jaw-Opening Force in Older Adults

Chizuru Namiki, Koji Hara (), Ryosuke Yanagida, Kazuharu Nakagawa, Kohei Yamaguchi, Takuma Okumura, Tomoe Tamai, Yukiko Kurosawa, Tomoko Komatsu and Haruka Tohara
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Chizuru Namiki: Department of Critical Care Medicine and Dentistry, Graduate School of Dentistry, Kanagawa Dental University, Yokosuka 2388580, Japan
Koji Hara: Department of Critical Care Medicine and Dentistry, Graduate School of Dentistry, Kanagawa Dental University, Yokosuka 2388580, Japan
Ryosuke Yanagida: Department of Dysphagia Rehabilitation, Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, Tokyo 1138510, Japan
Kazuharu Nakagawa: Department of Dysphagia Rehabilitation, Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, Tokyo 1138510, Japan
Kohei Yamaguchi: Department of Dysphagia Rehabilitation, Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, Tokyo 1138510, Japan
Takuma Okumura: Department of Dysphagia Rehabilitation, Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, Tokyo 1138510, Japan
Tomoe Tamai: Department of Dysphagia Rehabilitation, Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, Tokyo 1138510, Japan
Yukiko Kurosawa: Department of Critical Care Medicine and Dentistry, Graduate School of Dentistry, Kanagawa Dental University, Yokosuka 2388580, Japan
Tomoko Komatsu: Department of Critical Care Medicine and Dentistry, Graduate School of Dentistry, Kanagawa Dental University, Yokosuka 2388580, Japan
Haruka Tohara: Department of Dysphagia Rehabilitation, Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, Tokyo 1138510, Japan

IJERPH, 2022, vol. 19, issue 16, 1-11

Abstract: Tongue pressure (TP) is used to assess tongue muscle strength and is related to function and frailty. While performing TP, it is necessary to elevate the tongue and oral floor by contracting the suprahyoid muscles. However, the association between TP and suprahyoid muscle strength remains unclear. Accordingly, this study investigated the relationship between TP and jaw-opening force (JOF), an indicator of suprahyoid muscle strength. This cross-sectional study included 88 independent community-dwelling participants aged ≥65 years. Age, sex, and the number of remaining teeth were recorded. Ultrasonography was used to evaluate the cross-sectional area of the tongue and geniohyoid muscle, as representatives of the suprahyoid muscles. Sarcopenia was diagnosed based on appendicular skeletal muscle mass index, handgrip strength, and gait speed. Multiple regression analysis was performed with TP as the dependent variable. TP was significantly associated with JOF (β = 0.371, p = 0.003). This study revealed that decreased TP was associated with a decline in JOF and suprahyoid muscle mass in older adults. Thus, low TP may be associated with decreased JOF. Prevention of the weakness of the suprahyoid muscles and maintaining TP may also contribute to the prevention of frailty associated with TP.

Keywords: sarcopenia; tongue pressure; jaw-opening force; geniohyoid muscle; suprahyoid muscle (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
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