Latest News
IOPI Medical to Sponsor NFOSD Exhibitor Open House Night
IOPI Medical is proud to sponsor the National Foundation of Swallowing Disorders’ inaugural FREE “Exhibitor Open House Night” on June 9th at 4:00pm Pacific Time. This event is for those impacted by swallowing disorders, their families and caregivers, healthcare professionals who work with individuals with dysphagia, and students interested in learning more about swallowing disorders.…
Read MoreIOPI Medical Receives Presidential Award For Exports
WOODINVILLE, WASHINGTON – U.S. Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross notified IOPI Medical of its selection to receive the President’s “E” Award for Exports. The President’s “E” Award is the highest recognition any U.S. entity can receive for making a significant contribution to the expansion of U.S. exports. “IOPI Medical has demonstrated a sustained commitment to…
Read MoreAssociation Between Tongue and Lip Motor Functions and Mixing Ability in Complete Denture Wearers
The study aimed to investigate the relationship between tongue motor function, lip motor function, and mixing ability in 54 elderly complete denture wearers. Maximum tongue pressure and oral diadochokinesis were measured tongue and lip motor functions. A color-changeable, chewing gum evaluated mixing ability. The study identified maximum tongue pressure, the number of repetitions of the…
Read MoreCriteria to Assess Tongue Strength for Predicting Penetration and Aspiration in Patients With Stroke Having Dysphagia
The purpose of this study was to analyze tongue strength and the presence or absence of penetration and aspiration, using instrumental assessments, to provide a basis for clinical decision-making. Seventy-nine subjects underwent a videofluoroscopic swallowing study and assessment of tongue pressures with the IOPI. The study found that tongue strength has predictive abilities to screen…
Read MoreEffects of Anterior Tongue Strengthening Exercises on Posterior Tongue Strength in Healthy Young Adults
Eleven healthy subjects exercised by pushing the anterior tongue to the palate 30 times, three times a day, 3 days a week for 8 weeks at 60% of maximum tongue pressure week one and 80% for the remainder of the training. After the completion of training, maximum pressure measurements continued every month for an additional…
Read MoreInfluence of the Craniocervical Posture on Tongue Strength and Endurance
The study investigated the impact of head position on tongue strength in 37 healthy adults using the IOPI. The investigators captured tongue strength measurements in an anterior, mid, and posterior placement in neutral, retracted, and forward head positions. Tongue strength in the anterior and mid position reached significance. The authors concluded that head position influences…
Read MoreThe Effect of Tongue-Strength Exercises on Tongue Strength and Swallow-Related Parameters in Chronic Radiation-Associated Dysphagia
The study examines the impact of lingual strengthening exercises on tongue strength, improvements in MASA-C, FOIS, and SwQoL scores in 15 head and neck cancer patients, with chronic radiation induced dysphagia. Subjects performed 3 therapy session per week on non-consecutive days for 8 weeks exercising anterior and posterior tongue at 80% of their maximum isometric…
Read MoreAssociation of Post-Extubation Dysphagia with Tongue Weakness and Somatosensory Disturbance in Non-Neurologic Critically Ill Patients
This study examined nineteen critically ill adult patients post endotracheal intubation who underwent a videofluoroscopic swallowing study. Evaluation of tongue and lip performance, and oral somatosensory function were also performed. The investigators found the duration of intubation, length of stay in the intensive care unit, and oromotor degradation were associated with dysphagia. They concluded that…
Read MoreThe Role of Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine In The COVID-19 Pandemic: The Clinician’s View
The number of patients with COVID-19 related disability is growing. The virus appears to cause damage to multiple systems and leads to general deconditioning, joint stiffness, neuropathy, and dysphagia. The response of rehabilitation professionals is important in reducing disability and improving outcomes. In this article, physicians from around the globe discuss the role of various…
Read MoreTongue-to-palate resistance training improves tongue strength and oropharyngeal swallowing function in subacute stroke survivors with dysphagia
By H.D. Kim, J.B. Choi, S.J. Yoo, M.Y. Chang, S.W. Lee, and J.S. Park A new study out of the Republic of Korea has focused on how tongue-to-palate resistance training (TPRT) affects tongue strengthening and swallowing function. This research provides further evidence that TPRT is an effective strategy for rehabilitating dysphagia and highlights the utility…
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