Assessing tongue mobility and strength using PARROT: An oral device
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VanRavenhorst-Bell, Heidi A.
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Abstract
The tongue plays a crucial role in human health, contributing to chewing, swallowing, breathing, speech, and overall well-being. Composed of eight interwoven muscles, it performs complex movements essential for food manipulation, articulation and upper air-way patency. Reduced tongue mobility or strength—caused by weak muscles, poor tone due to aging, obesity, or neurological disorders such as stroke or Parkinson's disease—can lead to conditions like dysphagia, speech impairments, and obstructive sleep apnea. This research aims to develop "PARROT," a wireless wearable mouthpiece device designed to assess tongue function through lingual pressure mapping at various points in the oral cavity with real-time feedback. The device will be used for diagnosing and treating tongue positioning habits and for providing personalized, targeted exercises to improve lingual function. Not restricted by location, PARROT will accommodate the individual needs of both caregivers and patients, whether inside or outside a clinical setting. Incorporating AI and machine learning algorithms, the system will customize training regimens by monitoring progress to enhance therapeutic outcomes. This innovation has the potential to improve tongue functionality and overall health, addressing challenges faced by individuals with lingual dysfunction in the state of Kansas and beyond.
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Presented at the 22nd Annual Capitol Graduate Research Summit, Topeka, KS, March 25, 2025.

