Creating an Oral Care Model for the Frail older adults

2022 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 19K11167
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Review Section: Basic Section 58080:Gerontological nursing and community health nursing-related
• Research Institution: Kyushu University
• Principal Investigator: Sakai Kumiko 九州大学, 医学研究院, 助教 (90778656)
• Co-Investigator(Kenkyū-buntansha): 姫野 稔子 日本赤十字九州国際看護大学, 看護学部, 教授 (50364188)
• Project Period (FY): 2019-04-01 – 2023-03-31
• Keywords: 高齢者 / 口腔ケア / 看護

Outline of Final Research Achievements

The purpose of this study was to create a model of oral care for frail older adults who are bedridden and have reduced ADLs. The following two studies were conducted to investigate the oral conditions of participants, examine care methods, and verify the safety and appropriateness of care. Study 1. investigated breathing patterns, oral conditions, and diurnal variation in oral moistness and oral bacterial counts. In Study 2., oral care methods were examined and oral care was provided. The participants' oral cavity was dry mouth with high oral bacterial counts. In addition, no diurnal variation was observed due to low stimulated Saliva secretion due to difficulty in oral intake. Based on these oral conditions, oral care using a highly viscous gel-type moisturizer for participants who had difficulty rinsing their mouths was a safe and effective oral care method that increased oral moistness.

Free Research Field

高齢者看護

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

寝たきりでADLの低下した虚弱高齢者に対する有効な口腔ケア方法は明確ではない。寝たきりでADLの低下した虚弱高齢者に有効な口腔ケア方法の知見を得ることができ、学術的意義がある。さらには寝たきりでADLの低下した虚弱高齢者に有効な口腔ケアが広く普及・実施されることによって口腔環境改善、ひいてはAP予防やQOLの向上に寄与する社会的意義もある。