Effect of masticatory training using confectioneries on oral function in elderly patients - A randomized controlled trial.

ABSTRACT:

Background/purpose

The number of patients with oral hypofunction is increasing with the aging of the population, and such hypofunction increases their risk for dysphagia and malnutrition. The purpose of this study was to measure the hardness of commercially available confectioneries, select a confectionery with a hardness suitable for masticatory training for elderly patients, and evaluate the effects of 1-week masticatory training on oral function (occlusal force, masticatory ability, and tongue pressure).

Materials and methods

The average hardness values of 25 confectioneries were determined. Among them, one of the softest confectioneries that the patients felt as "chewable but difficult to chew" was selected as the training confectionery for each patient. The patients in

SUBMITTER: Nishizaki H 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9588806 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature