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Age-related changes in orofacial force generation in women
M A McHenry1, J T Minton, L L Hartley
1Galveston Institute of Human Communication at The Transitional Learning Community, Texas 77553, USA.
Objectives:
This study was designed to assess the effect of age on orofacial force generation.
Study Design:
Forty women participated in a cross-sectional design, with 10 in each age group from 20 to 39, 40 to 59, 60 to 79, and 80 to 100 years of age.
Methods:
Measures of force generation were obtained for the upper lip, lower lip, tongue, and jaw.
Results:
There were no statistical differences among age groups, probably because of large individual variability within groups. Trends indicated a decline, particularly after age 80 years.
Conclusion:
Although trends in the data suggest some decline in the function of orofacial structures with age, it is unlikely that these changes would noticeably affect functional communication.
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