Tongue Pressure in Middle-Aged and Elderly Individuals With Chronic Cervical Pain

NCT07021586 | Recruiting

• 1 other identifier: NYCU113186AE
• Study Type: observational
• Target: 40
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

The goal of the cross-sectional study is to explore the impact of neck pain on tongue pressure in the middle-aged and elderly population and analyze the effects of different cranio-cervical positioning on tongue pressure performance. The main questions it aims to answer are:

1. 1.Do middle-aged and elderly individuals with chronic cervical pain exhibit reduced maximal tongue pressure compared to those without cervical pain?
2. 2.What are the effects of different cranio-cervical positioning on tongue pressure performance?

Conditions

Cervical Pain, Posterior; Swallowing Difficulties; Swallowing Disorders

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• Maximal tongue pressure

  Tongue pressure is used to measure the function or strength of the tongue. The higher the value, the greater the tongue strength. The measurement unit is kPa, with 0 being the minimum value. It tends to decrease with age, typically with 60 years old as the cutoff. For those under 60, the value is around 40 kPa, and for those over 60kPa, it decreases to around 33 kPa. Additionally, when accompanied by other conditions, such as dysphagia or sarcopenia, the decline is more pronounced.

  Because it is a cross sectional study with one-time measurement, it usually take five minutes to collect the data.

Secondary Outcomes (5)

• Mandarin version of Eating Assessment Tool-10

  It usually take 5-10 minutes to finish the questionnaire

• Repetitive Saliva Swallowing Test

  It usually take 30 seconds to collect the data.

• Temporomandibular joint kinematics

  Because it is a cross sectional study with one-time measurement, it usually take twenty minutes to collect the data.

• Craniovertebral angle

  Because it is a cross sectional study with one-time measurement, it usually take five minutes to collect the data.

• Maximal handgrip strength

  It usually take five minutes to collect the data.

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 50 Years - 65 Years
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)
• Sampling Method: Non-Probability Sample

Study Population

Community and regional clinics in Taipei or New Taipei

You may qualify if:

• Aged between 50-65 year olds
• Chronic neck pain (caused by specific neck movements or prolonged neck posture)
• Cervical pain duration: at least 3 months within the past year
• Cervical pain intensity: during activity or rest, as measured by the Numeric Pain Rating Scale, must have an average score of at least 3 over the past two weeks
• No anti-inflammatory or painkillers can be used within 48 hours prior to the test
• Matching gender, age, and body mass index with those in the chronic cervical pain group
• No cervical pain has occurred within the past 6 months

You may not qualify if:

• Neurological diseases that may affect tongue pressure readings, such as stroke or Parkinson's disease
• Head or neck surgery in the past year
• Severe head or neck injuries (e.g., whiplash from a car accident) in the past year
• Diagnosed with cervical radiculopathy or myelopathy with symptoms in the form of numbness or tingling, or fail relative clinical tests (spurling's/ cervical distraction/ cervical rotation test/ upper limb tension test-1/ Hoffman sign)
• History of head or neck deformities or cancer
• History of head or neck radiation therapy
• Diagnosed with dysphagia
• Experience pain or restricted movement in the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) during chewing in the last 6 months
• Require anticonvulsants or antidepressant medications
• Cognitive impairments preventing understanding of the test order or communication

Sponsors & Collaborators

• National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University: lead

Study Sites (1)

National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University

Taipei, Taiwan

RECRUITING

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Neck Pain; Deglutition Disorders

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Pain; Neurologic Manifestations; Signs and Symptoms; Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms; Esophageal Diseases; Gastrointestinal Diseases; Digestive System Diseases; Pharyngeal Diseases; Otorhinolaryngologic Diseases

Study Officials

• Yi-Fen Shih

  National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University

  STUDY CHAIR

Central Study Contacts

Yi-Fen Shih, Professor

CONTACT

+886-0228267340; yfshih@nycu.edu.tw

Chia Hung Lu, Bachelor

CONTACT

+886-0907549212; qwe8243096.be12@nycu.edu.tw

Study Design

• Study Type: observational
• Observational Model: OTHER
• Time Perspective: CROSS SECTIONAL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Professor, Department of Physical Therapy and Assistive Technology, National Yang Ming Chaio Tung University

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: May 21, 2025
• First Posted: June 15, 2025
• Study Start: February 20, 2025
• Primary Completion: June 30, 2025
• Study Completion: June 30, 2025
• Last Updated: June 15, 2025

Record last verified: 2024-11

Locations

TW (1)