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Mental Practice Of Lingual Resistance And Cortical Plasticity In Older Adults: An Exploratory Fnirs Study, Erin Kamarunas, Sarah Szynkiewicz, Lindsay Griffin, Teresa Drulia, Kelsey Murray

International Journal of Orofacial Myology and Myofunctional Therapy

Purpose: Mental practice using motor imagery (MP) improves motor strength and coordination in the upper and lower extremities in clinical patient populations. Its effectiveness as a rehabilitation tool for patients with lingual weakness is not yet well understood, nor are the underlying mechanisms within the context of swallow or lingual MP. Using previously published data on a lingual and MP exercise program, the objective of this study was to explore how MP of lingual exercise affects cortical activation in healthy older adults over time and how neural changes correlate with functional oral pressure outcomes.

Method: A prospective randomized controlled study …