Ni Anpin, Hao Grace, Chou Sin-Yi, Chen Shiuan-Chih, Chang Yu-Jung
Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders, College of Health and Sciences, North Carolina Central University, Durham, North Carolina, USA.
Department of Speech Language Pathology and Audiology, Chung Shan Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan.
J Oral Rehabil. 2025 Oct;52(10):1819-1828. doi: 10.1111/joor.13989. Epub 2025 Jun 2.
Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a prevalent sleep-related breathing disorder often associated with various health complications. This study investigated the impact of age on tongue function in OSA patients.
Study involved 214 participants (48.14 ± 16.29 years) categorised by OSA status (185 non-OSA, 29 OSA) and age groups: young adults (18-39 years), middle-aged (40-59 years) and older adults (> 59 years). Tongue function measures included anterior and posterior maximum isometric pressure (MIP, MIP) and anterior and posterior tongue endurance (End, End) using the Iowa Oral Performance Instrument (IOPI).
Tongue function was higher in the OSA group compared to the non-OSA group. Significant differences were observed in middle-aged adults for MIP (p = 0.018, Cohen's d = 0.60) and MIP (p = 0.003, Cohen's d = 0.90). Significant differences in tongue endurance were found in younger adults for End (p = 0.004, r = 0.35). Both groups experienced a decline in tongue function in individuals over 59 years, with the non-OSA group showing a significant age-related decline. However, no significant differences in tongue function across ages were found within the OSA group, but medium and large effects were indicated.
Age appears to influence tongue strength and endurance in both groups, with OSA patients showing slightly higher values overall. Our findings suggest that reduced tongue function may not be a primary factor in OSA pathophysiology. Further studies are warranted to explore the implications of tongue muscle function in OSA management and intervention strategies.
阻塞性睡眠呼吸暂停（OSA）是一种常见的与睡眠相关的呼吸障碍，常伴有各种健康并发症。本研究调查了年龄对OSA患者舌功能的影响。
研究纳入了214名参与者（48.14±16.29岁），根据OSA状态（185名非OSA患者、29名OSA患者）和年龄组进行分类：年轻成年人（18 - 39岁）、中年（40 - 59岁）和老年人（>59岁）。使用爱荷华口腔功能仪器（IOPI）测量舌功能，包括前后最大等长压力（MIP、MIP）和前后舌耐力（End、End）。
与非OSA组相比，OSA组的舌功能更高。在中年成年人中，MIP（p = 0.018，科恩d值 = 0.60）和MIP（p = 0.003，科恩d值 = 0.90）存在显著差异。在年轻成年人中，End的舌耐力存在显著差异（p = 0.004，r = 0.35）。两组59岁以上个体的舌功能均下降，非OSA组显示出与年龄相关的显著下降。然而，OSA组内各年龄组的舌功能无显著差异，但显示出中等和较大的效应。
年龄似乎影响两组的舌力量和耐力，OSA患者总体上显示出略高的值。我们的研究结果表明，舌功能降低可能不是OSA病理生理学的主要因素。有必要进一步研究探讨舌肌功能在OSA管理和干预策略中的意义。
