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Tongue strength and endurance testing with the IOPI in people with oral tongue cancer

Normative Ranges of Lingual Strength and Endurance and the Impact of the IOPI Lingual Strength Trainer on Quantitative Functional Outcomes and Patient-Reported Outcomes After Partial Glossectomy or Hemiglossectomy for Oral Tongue Cancer, A Pilot Study

Not applicable Interventional Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center · NCT07124520

This will test tongue strength and endurance using a small device called the IOPI in adults scheduled for primary surgery for oral tongue cancer.

Quick facts

PhaseNot applicable
Study typeInterventional
Enrollment60 (estimated)
Ages18 Years and up
SexAll
SponsorMemorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center Academic / other
Drugs / interventionsradiation
Locations7 sites (Basking Ridge, New Jersey and 6 other locations)
Trial IDNCT07124520 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

Participants will have tongue pressure and endurance measured with the Iowa Oral Performance Instrument (IOPI) by trained staff at clinical visits related to their planned primary glossectomy (types 1–3). The protocol enrolls adults who have not had prior radiation or surgery to the oral cavity and who are not feeding-tube dependent. Patients with recurrent disease, required bone resection, or subtotal/total glossectomy are excluded. Data collected will be used to better characterize lingual strength and endurance around surgical treatment.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Adults aged 18 or older scheduled for primary surgery for oral tongue cancer (glossectomy types 1–3) who have not had prior head and neck radiation or prior oral cavity surgery and are not feeding-tube dependent.

Not a fit: Patients with prior radiation to the head and neck, prior oral cavity surgery, recurrent disease, required mandible resection, subtotal or total glossectomy, or preoperative feeding-tube dependence are excluded and unlikely to benefit from this protocol.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, the measurements could help clinicians better understand and track tongue function, which may guide rehabilitation to improve speech and swallowing outcomes.

How similar studies have performed: Previous research has used the IOPI to reliably measure tongue pressure in head and neck and swallowing populations, but its direct impact on long-term clinical outcomes remains limited.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria 
Inclusion Criteria:

* Age ≥18 years old
* Scheduled to undergo primary surgery for oral tongue cancer (glossectomy types 1 to 3) using any type of closure or reconstruction

Exclusion Criteria:

* Previous radiation therapy to the oral cavity or head and neck
* Previous surgery for oral cavity cancer
* Recurrent oral cavity cancer
* Surgical requirement of extension to involve bone (mandible resection)
* Subtotal or total glossectomy
* Feeding tube dependance prior to surgery

Where this trial is running

Basking Ridge, New Jersey and 6 other locations

Study contacts

How to participate

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
View on ClinicalTrials.gov → Find more trials like this →
Conditions Tongue CancerOral Tongue CancerIOPI Lingual Strength TrainerIowa Oral Performance InstrumentIowa Oral Performance Instrument Tongue Strength TrainerMemorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center25-162
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.