Safety and Efficacy of Medically Performed Tongue Piercing in People with Tetraplegia for Use with Tongue-Operated Assistive Technology

This study explores the safety and usability of tongue piercing in individuals with tetraplegia for operating assistive technology known as the Tongue Drive System (TDS). The TDS uses tongue movements to control devices like computers and wheelchairs. Volunteers with tetraplegia underwent a medically supervised tongue-piercing protocol, followed by the insertion of a magnet-containing barbell. This allowed them to use the TDS to perform tasks like computer operation and wheelchair navigation. The study found that with careful selection criteria and medical supervision, tongue piercing posed no excess risk to individuals with tetraplegia, and they were able to effectively operate the TDS.

• 1
  Careful participant selection and a medically supervised piercing protocol were associated with no excess risk of tongue piercing and wearing a tongue barbell in people with tetraplegia.
• 2
  Participants with tetraplegia were able to use the TDS for computer access, powered wheelchair control, phone dialing, and in-chair weight shifting.
• 3
  Most participants found the TDS as effective or more effective and as easy or easier to use than their current assistive devices.