EDISCIENCES

ABSTRACT

Introduction: Effects of an Intensive Tongue Strengthening Program on Post-Glossectomy Eating Efficiency - A Pilot Feasibility Study Purpose: Patients treated for tongue cancer typically have significant long-term impairments that can affect their ability to consume oral nutrition. In this study, we evaluated whether an intensive tongue-strengthening home program improves tongue strength and participant perceptions of eating solid foods. Method: Patients were identified through a search of the electronic medical record with criteria of ages 21 and older, new head and neck cancer (HNC) diagnosis, multimodality treatment, at least 3 months post-end of treatment, and oral dysphagia noted by objective swallowing evaluation. An AB criterion- changing single-subject experimental design (SSED) was used over a 5-week period beginning with the A phase. Baseline measurements were taken over a 1–2- week time frame. Weekly maximum tongue strength measurements were taken using the Iowa Oral Performance Instrument (IOPI) and used to recalibrate the following week's exercise parameters. A timed food challenge to assess the quantity of solids consumed, patient-reported adherence to exercise protocol, and patient- reported outcomes to evaluate personal experiences were compared prior to and following the intervention. Results: Five patients were accrued to the study who were 4 months to 3.1 years post-HNC treatment, ages 56-68, two males and three females. The exercise adherence ranged from 71 to 100%. All participants showed an increase in lingual to palatal pressures and eating efficiency during timed food challenges. The participants also had improved patient-reported outcomes. Conclusions: A home-based tongue strengthening program was feasible for patients and resulted in quantitative and qualitative improvement. An exercise protocol targeting tongue strength may benefit patients treated for tongue cancer and should be further tested for post-treatment rehabilitation.