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Comparing the Tongue and Lip Strength and Endurance of Children with Down Syndrome with Their Typical Peers Using IOPI

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Abstract

Muscular hypotonia is a feature of Down syndrome (DS), and it affects the tongue and lips. A study on oral dysfunction in children with DS concluded that most of them did not have the tongue strength for completing the oral phase of swallowing. Recognizing the weakness of the oral muscles and improving its motor function positively affects mastication and swallowing, and prevents complications. This cross-sectional study aimed to measure the lip and tongue strength and endurance of children with DS and their typical peers, and compare these two groups with each other using Iowa Oral Performance Instrument (IOPI). Eight children with DS and 33 typical children aged 8–13 years were enrolled in this study. To examine the effect of age on the tongue strength and endurance, we divided the children into three groups of 8–9, 10–11, and 12–13 years old. The results showed that both anterior and posterior tongue strength were significantly lower in children with DS (p = 0.004 and 0.003). But, it was not the case with tongue endurance. Also, in 10–11 years old age group, the mean posterior tongue strength and in 12–13 years old age group the lip endurance was significantly lower in children with DS (p = 0.05 for both). Lips strength and endurance were both remarkably lower in children with DS (p = 0.004 and 0.02). In this study, tongue, and lip strength and endurance in both children with DS and typical ones were measured with IOPI for the first time. Moreover, it provided quantitative data on the strength and endurance of the muscles of the tongue and lips, which can contribute to future studies.

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Acknowledgements

This manuscript was a part of Zhila Mohammadian's (No. 15511) Thesis approved by the Vice-Chancellor of Research, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran. Furthermore, the study method was approved by the Medical Ethics Committee of Shiraz University of Medical Sciences (SUMS) with the Reference Number “IR.SUMS.MED.REC.1398.134”. The authors would like to thank the Center for Developing Clinical Research of Nemazee Hospital and Dr. Nasrin Shokrpour and the Research Consultation Center (RCC) of Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran, for editorial assistance. The authors would also like to thank the Research Consultation Center (RCC) of Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran, for statistical analysis and Dr. Mohammad Jafari and Dr. Elahe Sohbat for their assistance.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Bone and Joint Diseases Research Center, Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran

    Hamid Reza Farpour

  2. Shiraz Geriatric Research Center, Faculty of Medicine, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran

    Hamid Reza Farpour

  3. Faculty of Medicine, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Zand Ave., 7187646610, Shiraz, Iran

    Hamid Reza Farpour, Seyed Ali Moosavi, Zhila Mohammadian & Sima Farpour

  4. Student Research Committee, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran

    Seyed Ali Moosavi

  5. Student Research Committee, Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran

    Zhila Mohammadian

  6. Neuroscience Research Center, Institute of Neuropharmacology, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran

    Sima Farpour

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  1. Hamid Reza Farpour
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  2. Seyed Ali Moosavi
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  3. Zhila Mohammadian
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  4. Sima Farpour
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Correspondence to Sima Farpour.

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Farpour, H., Moosavi, S.A., Mohammadian, Z. et al. Comparing the Tongue and Lip Strength and Endurance of Children with Down Syndrome with Their Typical Peers Using IOPI. Dysphagia 37, 966–972 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00455-021-10359-4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00455-021-10359-4

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