Investigating the usefulness of the OroPress as a biofeedback tool

Background: The OroPress is a valid and reliable tool for measuring ITS and ITE but further investigation is needed to establish the usefulness of the OroPress as a biofeedback tool. Biofeedback is used to provide individuals information about a task being performed. Robbins et al. (2005) found that when participants carried out ITS and ITE tasks with biofeedback they generated greater pressures than at baseline. Objectives: To determine whether participants produce greater maximum ITS (PmaxS), maximum ITE (PmxE) and longer ITE durations (t100) when presented with visual biofeedback from the OroPress. To investigate the relationship between PmaxE and t100 in ITE tasks. Methods: 54 participants were recruited to this study. During trials, participants produced 3 ITS tasks (pushing the tongue against the hard palate with as much force as possible for 3 seconds) and 3 ITE tasks (ITS for as long as possible). Data was collected using OroPress and results were analysed to determine the effect of biofeedback on ITS and ITE. Results: PmaxS increased significantly for the male and >50 years groups, with biofeedback (p< 0.05). PmaxE predicts t100 to a greater extent after biofeedback than at baseline, for participants >50 years. Conclusions: The increase in PmaxS, indicates that biofeedback from the OroPress is useful for encouraging both males and >50 years to produce greater tongue strength. Biofeedback provided by the OroPress may have more motivational impact on participants >50 years.