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Feasibility Of Using A Tongue-Activated Joystick By Healthy Pre-Teen Children, Mariana Souza Amaral, Ranata Maria Moreira Moraes Furlan, Guilherme Andre Santana, Clarice Magnani Figueiredo

International Journal of Orofacial Myology and Myofunctional Therapy

PURPOSE: To investigate the motivation and the effects of: tongue movement direction; resistance force level; repetition number; and sustained tongue contraction duration on tongue motor performance in healthy pre-teen children using computer games. METHODS: An analytical observational cross-sectional study was conducted with 15 healthy 11-13 year-old children with normal lingual strength. The participants played six computer games using a tongue-controlled joystick. The series varied the time for continuous force application on the target (3 and 5 seconds) and the target force level (0.5, 1 and 2 N). After the tests, the participants answered a questionnaire about their impressions and reactions …