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Establishing a reliable protocol to measure tongue sensation
C A Boliek1, J M Rieger, S Y Y Li
1Department of Speech Pathology & Audiology, Faculty of Rehabilitation Medicine, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. carol.boliek@ualberta.ca
Journal of Oral Rehabilitation
|May 24, 2007
Summary
Reliable tongue sensation tests are crucial for understanding speech and eating functions. This study developed protocols, finding thermal, texture, and taste sensations accurate, while others depend on stimulation details.
Area of Science:
- Rehabilitative Medicine
- Neuroscience
- Sensory Science
Background:
- Tongue sensation and function are critical for speech, mastication, and deglutition.
- Establishing reliable measures of tongue sensation is essential to understand its impact on function.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a comprehensive protocol for assessing various tongue sensory functions.
- To evaluate the reliability and discrimination capabilities of different sensory tests.
Main Methods:
- Protocol development for two-point discrimination, light-touch, thermal, texture, stereognosis, and taste recognition.
- Utilized diverse materials including the Disk-criminator, monofilaments, test tubes, acrylic resins, and taste solutions.
- Tested on 40 healthy adult subjects (ages 20-55).
Main Results:
- Thermal, texture, and taste sensations demonstrated robust accuracy and discrimination.
- Two-point discrimination and light touch were influenced by stimulation location and force.
- Stereognosis was affected by stimulus complexity.
Conclusions:
- Simple instruments like paperclips and test tubes can assess two-point discrimination and thermal sensation.
- More sophisticated tools may be needed for precise assessment of other sensory modalities.
- Validated protocols are key for clinical evaluation of tongue sensory function.
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