Effectiveness of anti-slip patch to assess lingual performance in use with the IOPI device

Abstract

The Iowa Oral Performance Instrument (IOPI) is known as the standardized instrument used to measure tongue strength and endurance. A common complaint, however, is that the bulb may move from its intended tongue placement during the measurement. Movement of the bulb may reduce reliability of the recorded measurement; thereby, potentially having a negative impact on diagnostic and rehabilitative practices. This study sought to determine whether an oral-safe biomaterial anti-slip patch is effective in reducing IOPI bulb movement on the tongue while measuring tongue strength and endurance. Additionally, the study sought to identify a participant's overall perception and preference between IOPI bulb conditions. Methods: 40 healthy adults (19- 40 years) were randomly counterbalanced and grouped, 1) Anterior Tongue (n = 22) and 2) Posterior Tongue (n = 18). There were 3 IOPI conditions (IOPI bulb, IOPI bulb-Patch 1, IOPI bulb-Patch 2). Each participant performed five tongue strength measures and three tongue endurance measures for each of the 3 IOPI bulb conditions. Each condition was then rated using the Comfort Level Survey. Results: Analysis is currently being conducted. A Cronbach's Alpha will determine ICC (95%) of the Comfort Level Survey. Multivariate ANOVA will determine overall preference amongst the 3 conditions, and Repeated Measures analyses will verify the integrity of tongue muscle performance measures were maintained (p = .05). Conclusion: Results may have important implications by introducing a more reliable application of assessing tongue muscle performance while maintaining normative values of IOPI. Such findings may bolster current diagnostic and rehabilitative practices.