NCT06794814

Program of Community Oral Function Enhancement

Oral Function Improvement Through Oral Exercise: Gender Differences in Community-Dwelling Older Adults

• Status: Completed
• Phase: N/A
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 77 (actual)
• Sponsor: National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University · Academic / Other
• Sex: All
• Age: 65 Years
• Healthy volunteers: Accepted

Summary

The purpose of this study examined the effects of oral exercise on oral function among older adults in Taiwan, focusing on gender-related outcome differences. Seventy-seven community-dwelling older adults aged 65 and above participated in a six-week oral exercise program, performed before each meal. After six-week, the participants were examed the salivary secretion, swallowing ability (RSST), oral diadochokinesis, bite force, quality of life (assessed by OHIP-14) and EAT-10.

Detailed description

Objective: Elderly individuals with systemic diseases and disabilities face an elevated mortality risk, with oral functional decline further contributing to both oral and systemic health challenges. Given the rising prevalence of reduced oral function in older adults, this study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of oral exercise training on improving oral function and preventing functional decline. Additionally, the study examines potential gender differences in response to the intervention. Methods: Seventy-seven community-dwelling older adults aged 65 and above participated in a six-week oral exercise program, performed before each meal. The study measured changes in oral function post-intervention.

Conditions

• Oral Hypofunction

Interventions

Type	Name	Description
BEHAVIORAL	oral exercise	The oral exercise protocol included several physical components, namely neck and shoulder stretching, cheek puffing exercises, tongue exercises, salivary gland massage, and oral diadochokinesis.

Timeline

• Start date: 2024-03-24
• Primary completion: 2024-07-30
• Completion: 2024-07-30
• First posted: 2025-01-27
• Last updated: 2025-01-27

Locations

1 site across 1 country: Taiwan