The effects of tongue stretching exercise on tongue length in healthy adults: a preliminary study

J Phys Ther Sci. 2017 Nov;29(11):1929-1930. doi: 10.1589/jpts.29.1929. Epub 2017 Nov 24.

Abstract

[Purpose] The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of tongue stretching exercise on the tongue length of healthy adults. [Subjects and Methods] This study recruited 6 healthy adults. They were treated for 4 weeks with tongue stretching. The change in tongue length during tongue protrusion before and after intervention was measured using a ruler. [Results] All 6 participants showed increased tongue length (minimum 20 mm to maximum 40 mm). [Conclusion] This study confirms that tongue stretching is a useful method to increase tongue length.

Keywords: Stretching; Swallowing; Tongue.