The effect of endurance and strength training on tongue muscle in nasopharyngeal cancer survivors after radiation therapy

Abstract

Nasopharyngeal cancer (NPC) survivors after radiation therapy often experience decrease in tongue strength and endurance, as well as swallowing difficulty as long-term side effects. Tongue training exercise is necessary to improve their tongue strength and endurance. The current study aimed to compare the effect of strength (high repetition low resistance) and endurance (low repetition high resistance) tongue training programme on tongue strength and endurance, swallowing ability and quality of life in NPC survivors. Six participants completed the study. Participants were assigned to one of two groups: strength training and endurance training group. Participants conducted their tongue exercises according to the group assignment and traditional oromotor exercises in three weekly group therapy sessions and daily home practice. Participants were assessed before training, in three training sessions and after training. Results showed potential of both training protocol in improving tongue strength and endurance. Improvement in strength was found in two out of three participants from both groups respectively. Improvement in endurance was found in three participants from strength training group and two from endurance training group. Since both long-term and short-term NPC survivors demonstrated training effects, tongue training should be provided for NPC survivors despite their years since cancer treatment.