Relationship between the electrical activity of suprahyoid musculature and tongue pressure during swallowing in the elderly

Abstract

ABSTRACT Purpose: to correlate the electrical activity of the suprahyoid musculature and tongue pressure during swallowing, in the elderly. Methods: thirteen elderly aged from 60 to 80 years participated in this study. They were submitted to electromyographic assessment and tongue pressure measurement while swallowing. After the evaluation, the relationship between suprahyoid musculature activity and tongue pressure during swallowing was verified. To obtain the electrical signal, surface electromyography was used and electrodes were placed in the submental region. They swallowed saliva and held the tongue against the palate for three seconds to record the maximum voluntary contraction, as well as saliva, and then, 50ml of water for the electromyographic recording. Tongue pressure was measured using the Iowa Oral Performance Instrument during swallowing of 10ml of water. Swallowing was performed with a bulb positioned between the dorsum of the tongue and the hard palate. Statistical analysis was carried out by using Spearman’s rank correlation coefficient. Results: there was a relationship between the electrical activity of the suprahyoid musculature and tongue pressure, during water swallowing (p=0.093%), showing an increase in the maximum tongue pressure level as the electrical activity increased, while swallowing. Conclusion: the values of tongue pressure and electrical activity of the suprahyoid musculature are related when swallowing in the presence of a greater volume of liquid to be swallowed.