An interdisciplinary study examining the relationship between prevention of cognitive decline and oral frailty and nutrition in older adults

2023 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 19K11702
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Review Section: Basic Section 59040:Nutrition science and health science-related
• Research Institution: Toho University
• Principal Investigator: Fujiwara Kazumi 東邦大学, 看護学部, 教授 (50413414)
• Co-Investigator(Kenkyū-buntansha): 岩原 昭彦 京都女子大学, 発達教育学部, 教授 (30353014) ; 八田 武志 関西福祉科学大学, 未登録, 名誉教授 (80030469)
• Project Period (FY): 2019-04-01 – 2024-03-31
• Keywords: 舌圧 / 咀嚼力 / 認知機能 / オーラルフレイル

Outline of Final Research Achievements

We analyzed the association between oral function, nutritional status, and cognitive function in 186 subjects. There were 74 males and 110 females. As a result of t-tests for tongue pressure, cognitive function, grip strength, and swallowing screening (EAT) in two groups with or less than 20 remaining teeth and with or without dentures, the results were significantly higher in those with 20 or more remaining teeth in the D-CAT test, which is a test of attention function and executive function, and in the Stroop test, which is a cognitive function test of attention function and executive function, the number of remaining teeth of 20 or more (p<.001, p<.006) (p<.001、ｐ<.000）。 However, there was no significant difference between the condition of these teeth and tongue pressure and EAT. In addition, tongue pressure was significantly correlated with age, grip strength, EAT, and cognitive function in terms of correlation with age, grip strength, and Stroop test.

Free Research Field

公衆衛生看護学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

これまで、フレイルの身体的要因であるオーラルフレイルと認知機能との関連性について認知機能低下予防の視点から中壮年期を視野に入れた検証は十分になされていない。よって、本研究の目的は地域在住の中高齢期を対象とし、加齢にともない現れる口腔機能低下と高次脳機能検査を含む認知機能との関連を明かにすることにある。認知機能低下予防の視点からオーラルフレイルと食品摂取の変化との関連から予防的介入に関する基礎資料が得られる意義がある