Biomechanical Biomarkers of Tongue Impairment During Swallowing in Persons Diagnosed with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis

Background The impact of tongue dysfunction on deglutition in persons diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is not well understood. This information is needed to improve our understanding of the mechanisms of swallowing impairment, for identifying risk factors of dysphagia, and for establishing impairment-specific treatments aimed at slowing the loss of swallow function. Objectives The goals of this study were to determine the relation between biomechanical measures of oral tongue movements using electromagnetic articulography (EMA) and measures of swallow physiology, swallow safety and efficiency, and self-reported swallowing function. Methods Participants were diagnosed with ALS by a neurologist following the El Escorial Criteria from the World Federation of Neurology. Twelve participants underwent (1) EMA to derive biomechanical measures of the tongue, (2) videofluoroscopic evaluation to measure swallow physiology, safety, and efficiency, and (3) maximal tongue strength testing using the Iowa Oral Pressure Instrument (IOPI). Participants completed self-reported functional assessments. Spearman’s rank correlations assessed for associations between lingual biomechanics and swallowing physiology, swallow safety and efficiency, and self-reported bulbar function. Results Results demonstrated strong associations between biomechanical and swallowing physiology, swallow safety, and self-reported measures. Notably, swallowing safety during thin liquid intake was associated with tongue speed ( r  = − 0.7, p  < 0.05) and range of motion ( r  = − 0.71, p  < 0.05), and swallowing safety during puree intake was associated with tongue strength ( r  = − 0.69, p  < 0.05). Conclusions Our findings underscore the importance of tongue movements on swallowing physiology and safety, help improve our understanding of mechanisms of swallowing impairment, and highlight a potential clinical tool to index bulbar impairment.

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