By InvitationPhase 3

Effect of Biofeedback Tongue Strengthening Program on Tongue Pressure and Swallowing Performance

Thailand52 participantsStarted 2025-03-25

Plain-language summary

Aging is often accompanied by a decline in bodily functions, including the swallowing process. Tongue-strengthening exercises have been shown to improve tongue strength and thickness in healthy adults and the elderly, thereby supporting swallowing function. Consistent exercise is key to preventing muscle weakness and preserving their ability to swallow. However, there is limited research on the effects of tongue-strengthening exercises that explores varying intensities and repetitions in elderly with impaired tongue pressure. Consequently, the objective of this study is to investigate the effect of biofeedback tongue strengthening program on tongue pressure and swallowing performance in elderly with abnormal tongue pressure. The results will serve as valuable data for selecting effective interventions to improve tongue strength and swallowing.

Who can participate

Age range

60 Years

Sex

ALL

See this in plain English?

AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.

Inclusion Criteria: * Aged 60 years or older. * No cognitive impairment, as screened by the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) with a score of 24 or higher. * Elderly with abnormal tongue pressure have an anterior maximum isometric tongue pressure (MIP) average of less than 30 kilopascals. Exclusion Criteria: * Diagnosed with head and neck cancers, a neurological disorder, or other conditions that affect the tongue muscle strength and training.

Questions worth asking your doctor

Bring these to your next appointment. They're a starting point for a shared conversation — not a sign you qualify or a recommendation to enrol.

1Based on my diagnosis and history, is this trial worth exploring for me — or is there a standard treatment we should try first?
2What does this trial's phase tell us about how much is already known about its safety and benefit?
3What would taking part actually involve for me — visits, tests, time, and travel?
4What are the known and possible risks or side effects I should weigh, and how would they be monitored?
5If this trial isn't the right fit, what other options or trials would you suggest I look into?

Generated to help you prepare — always confirm anything about your own eligibility and care with the study team and your doctor.

Questions for the trial coordinator

The trial coordinator is the person who runs the study day to day. These cover the practical side — logistics, costs, and what taking part would actually mean for your life. The study team confirms whether you meet the criteria; these are questions to ask, not a sign you qualify.

1What does taking part actually involve week to week — how many visits, where, and how long does each one take?
2What costs are covered by the study, and what might I have to pay for myself, including travel, parking, or time off work?
3What happens during screening, and what happens if the study team confirms I don't meet the criteria after those tests?
4Who pays for the scans, blood work, and other tests the trial requires — the study, my insurance, or me?
5How will being in the trial affect my regular care, and will my own doctor stay informed and involved?
6Can I leave the trial at any point if I change my mind, and what would happen to my care if I do?

A starting point for the conversation — always confirm anything about your own eligibility, costs, and care with the study team and your doctor.

What they're measuring

Tongue pressure

Timeframe: Baseline, Post-test after one day of training, Post-test after one month of training

Eating Assessment Tool-10 (EAT-10) score

Timeframe: Baseline, Post-test after one day of training, Post-test after one month of training

Functional Oral Intake Scale (FOIS)

Timeframe: Baseline, Post-test after one day of training, Post-test after one month of training

Mann Assessment of Swallowing Ability (MASA) score

Timeframe: Baseline, Post-test after one day of training, Post-test after one month of training

Water swallowing test

Timeframe: Baseline, Post-test after one day of training, Post-test after one month of training

Trial details

NCT IDNCT07080996

SponsorMahidol University

Sponsor typeOTHER

Study typeINTERVENTIONAL

Primary completion2026-02-24

View on ClinicalTrials.gov More Presbyphagia trials

Plain-language summary

Who can participate

Age range

60 Years

Sex

ALL

See this in plain English?

AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.

What they're measuring

Tongue pressure

Timeframe: Baseline, Post-test after one day of training, Post-test after one month of training

Eating Assessment Tool-10 (EAT-10) score

Timeframe: Baseline, Post-test after one day of training, Post-test after one month of training

Functional Oral Intake Scale (FOIS)

Timeframe: Baseline, Post-test after one day of training, Post-test after one month of training

Mann Assessment of Swallowing Ability (MASA) score

Timeframe: Baseline, Post-test after one day of training, Post-test after one month of training

Water swallowing test

Timeframe: Baseline, Post-test after one day of training, Post-test after one month of training