Compensatory behaviours after oral cancer: stretch reflex improves simulated tongue protrusion

The study investigates if a simple stretch reflex mechanism can restore function in a biomechanical tongue model altered by fibrosis, a side effect of radiation therapy for head and neck cancers. Lateral deviation during tongue protrusion was reduced by 57.7% in a high fibrosis case and by 25.97% in a low fibrosis case. Muscle length analysis indicated recovery was driven by the lesion side genioglossus anterior and medial. The results suggest that adaptation may include stretch reflex and other mechanisms to restore function. The study's method establishes a foundation for future systematic investigation of motor adaptation in clinical populations.