Validation of lip function using barometer for early detection of oral frailty

2022 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 19K19341
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Early-Career Scientists
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Review Section: Basic Section 57080:Social dentistry-related
• Research Institution: Tokyo Dental College Junior College
• Principal Investigator: Sugano Aki 東京歯科大学短期大学, 歯科衛生学科, 教授 (90709859)
• Project Period (FY): 2019-04-01 – 2023-03-31
• Keywords: オーラルフレイル / 口唇閉鎖 / サルコペニア

Outline of Final Research Achievements

We verified the accuracy of a composite sensor that can simultaneously measure intraoral pressure, electromyography of the orbicularis oris muscle, and lip closure pressure, which was developed to evaluate lip function. As a result, the measurement time was significantly shortened and the sensitivity was high compared to the conventional method, suggesting the usefulness of the evaluation method. Lip closure force tended to be higher in males than in females, similar to previous research on tongue pressure. Women tended to have dry mouth with lower lip closure force. However, since xerostomia is also affected by menopause and drugs, it was not possible to refer to the relationship in this study. In addition, although there was a correlation between maximum lip-closing force and grip strength, the data were biased toward the younger age group. We would like to increase the data of the elderly group and re-verify the verification of lip closure force and sarcopenia in the future.

Free Research Field

社会系歯学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

フレイル予防のためには、可逆的段階で早期発見・対処が重要である。加齢に伴う骨格筋の質的・量的変化は遅くとも40歳代ないし50歳代から始まっているため、高齢者のみならずその年代から予防対策を講じる必要がある。そのためには「気づき」を得る必要があり、口腔内を専門的に観察することの少ない職種や自分自身でも簡便に評価できることが求められる。それらのことから、観察しやすいと考えられる口唇に着目した口腔機能評価システムの開発は意義がある。口唇閉鎖力の低下は、口腔環境の悪化だけでなく、摂食嚥下機能やADL低下にも繋がる可能性が高く着目すべき機能であると考えられる。