Effectiveness of oral function training for improving mouth breathing in preschool children

2021 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 19K10972
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Review Section: Basic Section 58070:Lifelong developmental nursing-related
• Research Institution: Akita University
• Principal Investigator: Hiramoto Izumi 秋田大学, 名誉教授, 名誉教授 (60272051)
• Co-Investigator(Kenkyū-buntansha): 大高 麻衣子 秋田大学, 医学系研究科, 准教授 (50465803) ; 齋藤 雅世 秋田大学, 医学系研究科, 助教 (20785274)
• Project Period (FY): 2019-04-01 – 2022-03-31
• Keywords: 咀嚼機能

Outline of Final Research Achievements

The present study investigated the effectiveness of oral function training for improving mouth breathing in preschool children. Children in the deciduous dentition stage and their parents were included in the study. The training devices used were the T4K Infant Trainer, and evaluation was performed after 1 or 2 months. Three children aged 4 to 6 years participated, two of which carried out the training for 2 months. The range of exhalation as measured with a nasal mirror increased after 1 month in one subject and after 2 months in one subject. The amount of glucose concentration when chewing a gummy jelly increased after 2 months in two subjects. In the questionnaire, the item “Spill food” improved in one subject. This study shows the need for continued training.

Free Research Field

小児看護学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

子どもの口呼吸改善トレーニングによる咀嚼機能の発達支援の有効性を明らかにすることによって、家庭や保育施設などでも気軽に実施できる食育支援に活用できる。