노인의 구강 기능 및 구강건강 관련 삶의 질 개선을 위한 입 체조 프로그램의 효과

Abstract

Objective: The effectiveness of an oral exercise program in enhancing the oral function and oral health-related quality of life of older adults was investigated. Methods: Sixty senior care center residents aged 65 years or older in Incheon, Korea, were randomly assigned to treatment and control groups (n=30 each). The final analysis included 28 and 26 participants in these groups, respectively. Those in the treatment group participated in a 12-week oral exercise program, attending 40-minute sessions twice per week. Stimulated salivary flow, salivary viscosity, saliva buffering capacity, and oral health-related quality of life were assessed before and after the 12-week program. Results: Stimulated salivary flow increased, salivary viscosity decreased, and saliva buffering capacity increased compared with baseline levels in the treatment group. Furthermore, oral health-related quality of life was higher in the treatment group after the program, whereas that of the control group did not markedly change. Conclusions: The oral exercise program effectively strengthened oral function and increased oral health-related quality of life among older adult participants. Such programs should be implemented to benefit the rapidly aging population in Korea by enhancing oral health and overall quality of life.