The effect of tongue training on laryngeal position and décolletage area in healthy middle-aged women

Abstract

[Aim] This study aimed to determine whether two types of tongue training affect facial features, such as laryngeal position and lower face area.

[Methods] Women aged 40-59 years were recruited using snowball sampling, and 27 applicants were included in the study. Participants were randomly assigned to one of two tongue training groups (sheet and resistance groups). They underwent pre- and post-tests to measure tongue pressure, laryngeal position, and mandibular area. For 60 days following the pre-test, participants performed tongue training at home twice a day for approximately 2 minutes per session. A post-test was conducted the day after the training period, and participants were asked to report on their adherence to the training regimen. Analyses included pre-post comparisons of test scores within each group, as well as between-group comparisons of the rate of change in each test score between the sheet and resistance training groups.

[Results] In pre-post comparisons, tongue pressure improved significantly only in the resistance training group, laryngeal position increased significantly in both groups, and mandibular area decreased significantly only in the sheet training group. The rate of change in each index did not differ significantly between the two groups.

[Conclusion] Tongue training raises the relative position of the larynx and decreases the lower facial area, depending on the training method, which may affect facial appearance.