Tongue Pressure Resistance Training for Swallowing Impairment Post-Stroke

For patients who have suffered a stroke, tongue strength may be decreased compared to healthy individuals. Research on strengthening the tongue in the stroke population has shown positive effects of a tongue resistance training protocol. Research also suggests that swallow safety, or protection of the airway, may be improved as a result of such interventions, however the mechanism of improvement remains poorly understood. This study aims to determine what aspects of the swallowing mechanism (response time, movement, etc. of different structures) are directly impacted in order to provide guidance to clinicians using such treatments.