Reliability Measurement of TongueFit for Tongue Strength Measurement in Children
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Published:
Dec 24, 2025
Keywords:
children, swallowing, tongue measurement, reliability, orofacial manometer
Main Article Content
Abstract
Introduction: TongueFit is a newly available and lower cost orofacial manometer. This device is specifically developed for children to measure and improve tongue strength and endurance which includes a complementary application. This study evaluates the reliability of TongueFit as a measurement device. Methods: This is a cross-sectional study which recruited 74 subjects. Each subject was screened for clinical symptoms of dysphagia, only healthy subjects included in this study. Children who use visual or hearing aids were excluded. Tongue measurement will be repeated twice, with a 5-minute rest period. This study was analysed using SPSS version 27. The reliability of TongueFit is assessed using intraclass correlation (ICC) with single measurements, absolute agreement, and a two-way mixed-effects model. Result: 54 subjects were analyzed in the reliability analysis of TongueFit. There was excellent reliability with ICC 0.993 (0.988-0.996). Conclusion: This study showed an excellent reliability for TongueFit with high ICC. These results confirmed that the device is suitable for objective and precise tongue measurements.
Article Details
How to Cite
Kusuma Wardhani, R., Kusumaningsih, W., Amal, M. Y., Triastari, S. K., Andayani, N. G. A. A. P. T., & Yusuf, P. A. (2025). Reliability Measurement of TongueFit for Tongue Strength Measurement in Children. Indonesian Journal of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, 14(2), 177 - 182. https://doi.org/10.36803/indojpmr.v14i2.494
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Original Article
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References
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21. Curtis JA, Mocchetti V, Rameau A. Concurrent Validity of the IOPI and Tongueometer Orofacial Strength Measurement Devices. The Laryngoscope. 2023 Nov;133(11):3123–31.
22. Yoshikawa M, Fukuoka T, Mori T, Hiraoka A, Higa C, Kuroki A, et al. Comparison of the Iowa Oral Performance Instrument and JMS tongue pressure measurement device. J Dent Sci. 2021 Jan;16(1):214–9.
23. Gibbons T, Abrams SW, Mohsin N, Guastella R, Oppedisano S, Namasivayam -MacDonald Ashwini. A Pilot Assessment of Concurrent Validity and Comparative Reference Values for the Tongueometer Tongue Pressure Manometer. Perspect ASHA Spec Interest Groups. 2023 Jun 6;8(3):533–41.
24. Diaz-Saez MC, Beltran-Alacreu H, Gil-Castillo J, Navarro-Fernández G, Carretero JLC, Gil-Martínez A. Validity and intra rater reliability of a new device for tongue force measurement. International Journal of Interactive Multimedia and Artificial Intelligence [Internet]. 2022 Feb 18;8(2):60. Available from: https://doi.org/10.9781/ijimai.2022.02.001
25. Adams V, Mathisen B, Baines S, Lazarus C, Callister R. Reliability of measurements of tongue and hand strength and endurance using the Iowa Oral Performance Instrument with healthy adults. Dysphagia. 2014;29(1):83-95. doi:10.1007/s00455-013-9486-5.
26. Adams V, Mathisen B, Baines S, Lazarus C, Callister R. Reliability of measurements of tongue and hand strength and endurance using the Iowa Oral Performance Instrument with elderly adults. Disability and Rehabilitation [Internet]. 2014 May 22;37(5):389–95. Available from: https://doi.org/10.3109/09638288.2014.921245
2. Dotiwala AK, Samra NS. Anatomy, Head and Neck, Tongue. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2024 [cited 2024 Jun 27]. Available from: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK507782/
3. Bordoni B, Morabito B, Mitrano R, Simonelli M, Toccafondi A. The Anatomical Relationships of the Tongue with the Body System. Cureus. 2018
4. Moore, Keith L, Agur, Anne M, Dalley, Arthur F. Clinically oriented anatomy. 7th ed. Lippincott Wiliams & Wilkins: Canada. 2014:1751-4
5. Kayalioglu M, Shcherbatyy V, Seifi A, Liu ZJ. Roles of intrinsic and extrinsic tongue muscles in feeding. Arch Oral Biol. 2007 Aug;52(8):786–96.
6. Palmer JB, Drennan JC, Baba M. Evaluation and treatment of swallowing impairments. Am Fam Physician. 2000 Apr 15;61(8):2453–62.
7. Serel Arslan S. Swallowing Related Problems of Toddlers with Down Syndrome. J Dev Phys Disabil. 2022 Sep 12;1–11.
8. Mouilly M, El Midaoui A, El Hessni A. The Effects of Swallowing Disorders and Oral Malformations on Nutritional Status in Children with Cerebral Palsy. Nutrients. 2022 Sep 4;14(17):3658.
9. Adams V, Mathisen B, Baines S, Lazarus C, Callister R. A systematic review and meta-analysis of measurements of tongue and hand strength and endurance using the Iowa Oral Performance Instrument (IOPI). Dysphagia. 2013 Sep;28(3):350–69.
10. Bradford A, Murdoch B, Thompson E, Stokes P. Lip and tongue function in children with developmental speech disorders: A preliminary investigation. Clin Linguist Phon. 1997 Jan 1;11(5):363–87.
11. Wardhani RK, Wahyuni LK, Kusumaningsih W, Budiardjo SB, Yusuf PA, Wulan SMM, et al. Validity of Tonguefit: A Novel Tongue Strength and Endurance Measurement Tool for Children. JMIR Rehabil Assist Technol. 2025 Mar 31. doi: 10.2196/68967
12. Tsang K, Lau ES, Shazra M, Eyres R, Hansjee D, Smithard DG. A New Simple Screening Tool-4QT: Can It Identify Those with Swallowing Problems? A Pilot Study. Geriatrics (Basel). 2020 Feb 27;5(1):11. doi: 10.3390/geriatrics5010011. PMID: 32120993; PMCID: PMC7151188.
13. Diaz-Saez MC, Gil-Martínez A, Gadotti IC, Navarro-Fernández G, Gil-Castillo J, Beltran-Alacreu H. Reliability and Responsiveness of a Novel Device to Evaluate Tongue Force. Life. 2023; 13(5):1192. https://doi.org/10.3390/life13051192.
14. Hori K, Ono T, Tamine KI, Kondo J, Hamanaka S, Maeda Y, Dong J, Hatsuda M. Newly developed sensor sheet for measuring tongue pressure during swallowing. J Prosthodont Res. 2009 Jan;53(1):28-32.
15. Asami T, Ishizaki A, Ogawa A, Kwon H, Kasama K, et al. Analysis of factors related to tongue pressure during childhood. Dent Oral Craniofac Res. 2017;3.
16. Murdoch BE, Attard MD, Ozanne AE, Stokes PD. Impaired tongue strength and endurance in developmental verbal dyspraxia: a physiological analysis. Eur J Disord Commun J Coll Speech Lang Ther Lond. 1995;30(1):51–64.
17. Safi M, Alzyod DM, Opoku MP, Agamy YE. Tongue strength and endurance among typically developing children and children with idiopathic speech sound disorders in the United Arab Emirates. PLOS ONE. 2023 Jul 31;18(7):e0289400.
18. Stierwalt JA, Youmans SR. Tongue Measures in Individuals With Normal and Impaired Swallowing. Am J Speech Lang Pathol. 2007;16(2):148-56.
19. Potter NL, Nievergelt Y, VanDam M. Tongue Strength in Children With and Without Speech Sound Disorders. Am J Speech Lang Pathol. 2019 May ;28(2):612-22.
20. Potter NL, Short R. Maximal Tongue Strength in Typically Developing Children and Adolescents. Dysphagia. 2009 Apr 24;24(4):391-7.
21. Curtis JA, Mocchetti V, Rameau A. Concurrent Validity of the IOPI and Tongueometer Orofacial Strength Measurement Devices. The Laryngoscope. 2023 Nov;133(11):3123–31.
22. Yoshikawa M, Fukuoka T, Mori T, Hiraoka A, Higa C, Kuroki A, et al. Comparison of the Iowa Oral Performance Instrument and JMS tongue pressure measurement device. J Dent Sci. 2021 Jan;16(1):214–9.
23. Gibbons T, Abrams SW, Mohsin N, Guastella R, Oppedisano S, Namasivayam -MacDonald Ashwini. A Pilot Assessment of Concurrent Validity and Comparative Reference Values for the Tongueometer Tongue Pressure Manometer. Perspect ASHA Spec Interest Groups. 2023 Jun 6;8(3):533–41.
24. Diaz-Saez MC, Beltran-Alacreu H, Gil-Castillo J, Navarro-Fernández G, Carretero JLC, Gil-Martínez A. Validity and intra rater reliability of a new device for tongue force measurement. International Journal of Interactive Multimedia and Artificial Intelligence [Internet]. 2022 Feb 18;8(2):60. Available from: https://doi.org/10.9781/ijimai.2022.02.001
25. Adams V, Mathisen B, Baines S, Lazarus C, Callister R. Reliability of measurements of tongue and hand strength and endurance using the Iowa Oral Performance Instrument with healthy adults. Dysphagia. 2014;29(1):83-95. doi:10.1007/s00455-013-9486-5.
26. Adams V, Mathisen B, Baines S, Lazarus C, Callister R. Reliability of measurements of tongue and hand strength and endurance using the Iowa Oral Performance Instrument with elderly adults. Disability and Rehabilitation [Internet]. 2014 May 22;37(5):389–95. Available from: https://doi.org/10.3109/09638288.2014.921245