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Effects of Age and Lingual-Palatal Pressure Levels on Submental Surface Electromyography Measures

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Abstract

Submental surface electromyography (sEMG) may provide information about the lingual-palatal pressure (LPP) during swallowing. However, the extent to which changes in age and LPP levels are reflected in different sEMG measures is unclear. This study aimed to understand the effects of age and different levels of submaximal LPPs on submental sEMG peak, average, and integrated values in healthy adults. Ninety community-dwelling healthy participants were categorized into three age groups (young: 20–39 years, middle age: 40–59 years, older: 60 ≥ years). sEMG and LPP measurements were collected concurrently. After placing the sEMG electrodes, the maximal isometric LPP was established using the Iowa oral performance instrument (IOPI) on the anterior tongue. sEMG recordings were conducted for three submaximal LPP levels, including 40%, 60%, and 80% of the maximum LPP. Two-way repeated measure ANOVAs were conducted to find the effects of age and varying LPP levels on mean sEMG peak, average, and integrated measures. A significant age by LPP level interaction was identified for sEMG peak [F (4, 172) = 4.116, p < 0.007, ηp2 = 0.087], sEMG average [F (4, 170) = 5.049, p < 0.001, ηp2 = 0.106], and sEMG integrated values [F (4, 170) = 4.179, p < 0.003, ηp2 = 0.090]. Post hoc testing demonstrated that, in general, sEMG values significantly increased with rising LPP levels, primarily for younger and middle-aged adults. Furthermore, at 80% of maximum LPP, older adults generated less sEMG average and integrated values than middle age (only significant for sEMG integrated value) and younger adults. Likewise, max LPP was lower in older adults compared with young and middle-aged groups. Submental sEMG has the potential to be incorporated into a skill-based lingual exercise paradigm to improve tongue function during swallowing. Moreover, submental sEMG can characterize some age-related subclinical changes in swallowing.

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Funding

ACP Syncrony® system and the sEMG electrodes used in this study were provided by Accelerated Care Plus Corporation, Reno, NV, USA. However, the company had no role in the study design, data collection, data analysis, data interpretation, or writing of the manuscript.

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Author notes

  1. Ali Barikroo and Ikjae Im should be considered joint first author.

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Swallowing Physiology & Rehabilitation Research Laboratory, Speech Pathology and Audiology Program, School of Health Sciences, Kent State University, PO Box 5190, Kent, OH, 44242-0001, USA

    Ali Barikroo

  2. Department of Language and Rehabilitation, Catholic Kwandong University, Gangneung, South Korea

    Ikjae Im

  3. Florida Dysphagia Institute, Orlando, FL, USA

    Michael Crary

  4. School of Health Sciences, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, USA

    Giselle Carnaby

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  1. Ali Barikroo
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Correspondence to Ali Barikroo.

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Barikroo, A., Im, I., Crary, M. et al. Effects of Age and Lingual-Palatal Pressure Levels on Submental Surface Electromyography Measures. Dysphagia 38, 1277–1285 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00455-023-10553-6

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