Abstract:
Swallowing is a complex sensorineural process that is affected by many components, one of which being the tongue. The tongue plays a crucial role in swallowing because it prepares and subsequently propels the bolus into the pharynx, initiating a swallow. It was hypothesized that the taste of a liquid would have an effect on the lingual pressure used in swallowing. This study used the Iowa Oral Performance Instrument (IOPI) to measure lingual pressure while the participant swallowed sweet, salty, bitter, and sour liquids.
The lingual pressure in these trials was then examined against the participant’s baseline sample to determine the effectiveness of using different tasting liquids to elicit a more forceful swallow. Results for the control group and experimental group were compared to determine the impact of dysphagia on taste and lingual pressure.