The Pattern of Tongue's Motion: A Free-Exploration Study.

Area of Science:

• Biomechanics
• Wearable Technology
• Human Motor Control

Background:

• The human tongue is crucial for daily functions, but quantifying its intrinsic motions is challenging.
• Existing tools for tongue motion analysis are limited in scope and application.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore and quantify tongue motion during a free-exploration task.
• To develop a two-dimensional probability distribution model of tongue movement.
• To assess the efficacy of a novel intra-oral wearable device for tongue motion tracking.

Main Methods:

• Utilized a discreet, wireless intra-oral wearable device to record tongue tip movements.
• Instructed six healthy subjects to freely explore the hard palate surface.
• Collected non-continuous data over a 90-second period for each subject.

Main Results:

• A two-dimensional probability distribution model effectively visualized tongue motion patterns.
• 90 seconds of data collection proved sufficient for model generation.
• Tongue motion was predominantly concentrated in the central region of the hard palate.

Conclusions:

• The developed method provides a viable approach for quantifying tongue motion.
• The study successfully modeled tongue movement distribution during a free-exploration task.
• Findings indicate a preference for central palate engagement during unconstrained tongue exploration.