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Mild Cognitive ImpairmentNCT06766487

Effectiveness of Tongue Resistance Exercises on Tongue and Swallowing Function in Frail Older Adults With MCI

A study testing Tongue resistance exercises and cheek bulging exercises in people with Mild Cognitive Impairment, run by Chang Gung Medical Foundation at 1 site in Taiwan.

Completed

Finished. The study has ended and is not enrolling. Results may be posted on the official record.

Official record
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Trial summary

The purpose of this study is to explore the effects of tongue resistance exercises on tongue muscle strength and swallowing function in frail older adults with mild cognitive impairment living in the community. This study adopts a longitudinal research design with randomization. Read more about this study

Who is it for?
Ages 65 years and olderHealthy volunteers can take part
Conditions the study is for
Mild Cognitive Impairment
What is being tested?
Tongue resistance exercises and cheek bulging exercises
Could I receive a placebo?
Yes, some participants may receive a placebo
How many people
46 participants
Where
1 siteTaiwan
Study dates
1 Aug 2021to 31 Jul 2022
Phase
Interventional
Are there results?
None posted in the registry

Key requirements

Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.

  • Ages 65 years and older
  • All sexes
  • Healthy volunteers accepted
  • Older adult

Who may be able to join

  • Mild cognitive impairment in older adults aged ≥65 years
  • Frailty assessment: at least 1 point

Who cannot join

  • Having aspiration pneumonia
  • Tracheotomy is retained

Trial locations and contacts

1 site in 1 country.

Taiwan1 site
  • Chang Gung Memorial Hospital at Linkou

    Taoyuan, Taiwan, 333

Other trials in Taiwan

About this study

Official title: Chang Gung Memorial Hospital at Linkou

The purpose of this study is to explore the effects of tongue resistance exercises on tongue muscle strength and swallowing function in frail older adults with mild cognitive impairment living in the community.

This study adopts a longitudinal research design with randomization. Participants were randomly assigned to two groups using an online computer-based randomization tool. The experimental group performed tongue resistance exercises, while the control group practiced cheek bulging exercises.

Read the detailed description

Recruitment took place in nursing homes, day care centers, and community care centers across Taiwan. Participants were older adults aged 65 years or older with mild cognitive impairment and frailty, enrolled between August 1, 2021, and July 31, 2022.

Participants were randomly divided into two groups by computer, 23 peoples per group, The experimental group performed tongue resistance exercises, while the control group practiced cheek bulging exercises. The exercise intervention is 12 weeks of exercise begins, with each session 30 minutes.

The evaluation items include basic information, outcomes collected through a Iowa Oral Performance Instrument (IOPI) was used to measure tongue strength, tongue endurance, tongue endurance time, saliva swallowing pressure, effortful saliva swallowing pressure, and Aspiration assessment. The measurement times are as follows: T0 (Baseline), T1 (Week 4, Mid-Intervention), T2 (Immediate Post-Test after the 12-Week Intervention), and T3 (Follow-Up after the 12-Week Intervention).

Before conducting the study, all participants received a complete explanation of the purpose, risks, and procedures of the investigation, and provided written informed consent. Procedures were in accordance with the ethical standards of the committee on human experimentation at the institution where the work was conducted, and this study was approved by the Institutional Review Board.

Being tested
Tongue resistance exercises, cheek bulging exercises
Keywords
Tongue Resistance Exercises, Frail, Swallowing Function
Medical subject headings
Cognitive Dysfunction

What participants receive

What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.

  • Tongue resistance exercisesBehavioural

    The TRE program consisted of the following exercises:

    Exercise 1: Tongue Protrusion and Retraction Against Resistance, Exercise 2: Anterior Tongue Protrusion and Retraction Against Resistance, Exercise 3: Middle Tongue Protrusion and Retraction Against Resistance, Exercise 4: Middle Tongue Elevation with Pharyngeal Sound Production, Exercise 5: Tongue Elevation and Posterior Sweeping, and Exercise 6: Saliva Swallowing with Lip Closure.

  • cheek bulging exercisesBehavioural

    Cheek bulging exercises involved a series of movements: Lip Closure: Participants began by closing their lips. Unilateral Cheek Bulging: They then bulged their right cheek, followed by relaxation and return to the initial position. This was repeated on the left side. Bilateral Cheek Bulging: Finally, participants bulged both cheeks simultaneously.

Study groups in NCT06766487
Study groupRoleWhat they receive
Tongue Resistance ExercisesExperimentalTRTP involved movements of the tongue's anterior, middle, posterior, and lateral parts, targeting the intrinsic and extrinsic tongue muscles and the soft palate.
Receives: Behavioral: Tongue resistance exercises
cheek bulging exercisesPlacebo comparatorCheek bulging exercises involved closing the lips, bulging the right cheek, relaxing and returning to the initial position, bulging the left cheek, relaxing and returning to the initial position, and finally bulging both cheeks simultaneously.
Receives: Behavioral: cheek bulging exercises

What is being measured

The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.

  1. Tongue strength (anterior tongue strength [ATS] and posterior tongue strength [PTS])

    Tongue strength was measured using IOPI (Model 3.1) device, which was set to record peak pressure and repeated strength to evaluate the maximum pressure exerted during each repetition . The bulb was placed on the palate inside the upper front teeth and at the junction of the hard palate and soft palate to measure ATS and PTS. Maximum isometric pressure (MIP) was defined as the pressure generated when the participant pushed the tongue forcefully against the palate and maintained it for 3 seconds for both the anterior and posterior tongue. Each exercise was performed thrice, with 1-minute intervals between trials. The highest value from the three trials was recorded. MIP is reported in terms of kilopascals. The average pressure values for the anterior and posterior parts of the tongue were 55.95 ± 14.13 kPa and 53.23 ± 12.24 kPa, respectively.

    Measured: Assessments were performed at baseline (T0), 4-week mid-intervention (T1), 12-week immediate post-intervention (T2), and 12-week follow-up (T3).

  2. Tongue Endurance (anterior tongue endurance [ATE] and posterior tongue endurance [PTE])

    Tongue endurance was measured using IOPI (Model 3.1) device using the target mode with the target value set at 50% of the individual's MIP. The bulb was placed on either the anterior tongue or the posterior tongue to measure ATE and PTE. The participant pushed the tongue against the palate for 3 seconds. If the pressure exceeded the target value, the instrument displayed a green light indicating the goal had been achieved. Tongue endurance was assessed only once. For the assessment of tongue endurance, interrater reliability was .97, and interrater reliability was .95. Tongue weakness, defined as a tongue pressure of <30 kPa, is associated with a risk of malnutrition.At the indicated cutoff values, the assessment sensitivity was 92% (95% CI: 75% to 98%), specificity was 96% (95% CI: 87% to 99%), positive predictive value was 92% (95% CI: 75% to 98%), negative predictive value was 96% (95% CI: 87% to 99%), and accuracy was 94.7% (95% CI: 87% to 98%).

    Measured: Assessments were performed at baseline (T0), 4-week mid-intervention (T1), 12-week immediate post-intervention (T2), and 12-week follow-up (T3).

  3. Swallowing pressure (saliva swallowing pressure [SSP] and effortful swallow pressure [ESP]).

    Saliva swallowing pressure (SSP) was measured using IOPI (Model 3.1). The IOPI device was set to record peak pressure and repeated strength to evaluate the maximum pressure exerted during each repetition. The bulb was placed on the palate inside the upper front teeth. The participant gently closed the mouth and then swallowed saliva normally (without pressing the bulb with the tongue). An SSP of <10.3 kPa among older adults is associated with an increased risk of aspiration pneumonia.Effortful Swallowing Pressure (ESP) was measured using IOPI (Model 3.1). The IOPI device was set to record peak pressure and repeated strength to evaluate the maximum pressure exerted during each repetition. The bulb was placed on the palate inside the upper front teeth. The participant gently closed the mouth performed an effortful saliva swallow (eg, an egg), but did not press the bulb with the tongue.

    Measured: Assessments were performed at baseline (T0), 4-week mid-intervention (T1), 12-week immediate post-intervention (T2), and 12-week follow-up (T3).

  4. Aspiration assessment

    The references were developed using a structured evaluation form. Information for each option was obtained by interviewing the case or caregiver or by reviewing the institution's records. The evaluation included determining whether there had been a physician-diagnosed case of pneumonia, a fever ≥ 38℃, or respiratory symptoms such as coughing or difficulty breathing, as well as recording the dates of occurrence.

    Measured: Assessments were performed at baseline (T0), 4-week mid-intervention (T1), 12-week immediate post-intervention (T2), and 12-week follow-up (T3).

Timeline

From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.

  1. First posted9 Jan 2025
  2. Study start1 Aug 2021
  3. Primary completion31 Jul 2022
  4. Study completion31 Jul 2022

Resources

More details

For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.

Study design
Study type
Interventional
Phase
Phase N/A
Primary purpose
Treatment
Allocation
Randomised
Intervention model
Parallel groups
Model description
The experimental group performed tongue resistance exercises, while the control group practiced cheek bulging exercises. This study adopts a longitudinal research design with randomization. Participants were randomly assigned to two groups using an online computer-based randomization tool.
Masking
Double blind
Who is masked
Participant, Care provider
Enrolment
46 participants (actual)
IDs, dates and publications
ClinicalTrials.gov ID
NCT06766487
Sponsor's protocol ID
N202001044
Other IDs
CMRPG5L0032
Status last verified
Jun 2023
First submitted
3 Jan 2025
Last updated
9 Jan 2025
Results posted
No
Data monitoring committee
Yes
FDA-regulated drug
No
FDA-regulated device
No
Individual data sharing
No

Publications

  • Leira J, Maseda A, Lorenzo-Lopez L, Cibeira N, Lopez-Lopez R, Lodeiro L, Millan-Calenti JC. Dysphagia and its association with other health-related risk factors in institutionalized older people: A systematic review. Arch Gerontol Geriatr. 2023 Jul;110:104991. doi: 10.1016/j.archger.2023.104991. Epub 2023 Mar 7.

    PubMed 36906939
  • Namiki C, Hara K, Tohara H, Kobayashi K, Chantaramanee A, Nakagawa K, Saitou T, Yamaguchi K, Yoshimi K, Nakane A, Minakuchi S. Tongue-pressure resistance training improves tongue and suprahyoid muscle functions simultaneously. Clin Interv Aging. 2019 Mar 22;14:601-608. doi: 10.2147/CIA.S194808. eCollection 2019.

    PubMed 30962680
  • Kim HD, Choi JB, Yoo SJ, Chang MY, Lee SW, Park JS. Tongue-to-palate resistance training improves tongue strength and oropharyngeal swallowing function in subacute stroke survivors with dysphagia. J Oral Rehabil. 2017 Jan;44(1):59-64. doi: 10.1111/joor.12461.

    PubMed 27883209
  • Kao SH, Chen R, Su PY, Banda KJ, Sung CM, Wang CH, Chiang KJ, Fajarini M, Chou KR. A tongue resistance training program improves strength, endurance, and swallowing in frail older adults with mild cognitive impairment: a double-blind randomized controlled trial. Geroscience. 2026 Feb;48(1):647-660. doi: 10.1007/s11357-025-01715-5. Epub 2025 May 29.

    PubMed 40439971

Questions about this trial

What is this clinical trial studying?

A study testing Tongue resistance exercises and cheek bulging exercises in people with Mild Cognitive Impairment, run by Chang Gung Medical Foundation at 1 site in Taiwan.

The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.

Who may be eligible to take part?

The sponsor lists 2 inclusion and 2 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.

Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?

The record says: finished, as of the sponsor's last update on 9 Jan 2025. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.

Where is the study taking place?

The record lists 1 site in Taiwan. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.

What are the possible benefits and risks?

They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. Some participants in this study may receive a placebo. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.

Are results available for this study?

The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.

How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?

The record lists no contact. The official record names the sponsor, who can be asked directly. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.

What does the primary outcome measure?

Tongue strength (anterior tongue strength [ATS] and posterior tongue strength [PTS]) (time frame: Assessments were performed at baseline (T0), 4-week mid-intervention (T1), 12-week immediate post-intervention (T2), and 12-week follow-up (T3).). The study lists 4 primary outcomes in all. It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.

Where can I read the original study information?

On the ClinicalTrials.gov record for NCT06766487, which also lists 4 linked publications.

Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?

No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.

How often is this information updated?

AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 9 Jan 2025.

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