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Updated: Apr 20, 2026
In Vivo Evaluation of the Mechanical and Viscoelastic Properties of the Rat Tongue
Published on: July 6, 2017
Quantitative assessment of lingual strength in late-onset Pompe disease
Harrison N Jones1, Kelly D Crisp, Priyanka Asrani
1Department of Surgery, Division of Speech Pathology & Audiology, 155 Baker House, Trent Drive, DUMC 3887, Durham, North Carolina, USA.
Introduction:
Skeletal muscle is common in late-onset Pompe disease (LOPD). Recent data implicate common bulbar muscle involvement (i.e., the tongue).
Methods:
We used quantitative assessment of lingual strength to retrospectively determine the frequency and severity of lingual weakness in LOPD. We additionally examined associations between lingual strength and the presence or absence of dysarthria, and dysarthria severity.
Results:
Quantitative assessment revealed lingual weakness to be present in 80% of the sample. In the 24 affected patients, severity was mild in 29%, moderate in 29%, and severe in 42%. Patients with clinical dysarthria had greater lingual weakness than those without. As dysarthria severity increased, lingual strength decreased by an average of 6.82 kPa.
Conclusions:
These quantitative data provide additional evidence for presence of bulbar muscle disease in patients with LOPD. Further study is necessary to determine functional effects, temporal progression, and effects of treatment.
