Relationship between trunk muscles and swallowing muscles.

2019 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 19K21363
• Project/Area Number (Other): 18H06272 (2018)
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Research Activity Start-up
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund (2019); Single-year Grants (2018)
• Review Section: 0907:Oral science and related fields
• Research Institution: Tokyo Medical and Dental University
• Principal Investigator: Yoshimi Kanako 東京医科歯科大学, 歯学部附属病院, 医員 (90822560)
• Project Period (FY): 2018-08-24 – 2020-03-31
• Keywords: 摂食嚥下 / 体幹 / 舌圧 / 健常高齢者 / 要介護高齢者

Outline of Final Research Achievements

The purpose of this study was to clarify the association between swallowing muscles and trunk muscles in elderly individuals. The result of the analysis showed that trunk muscle strength was most significantly associated with tongue muscle strength in healthy elderly. However, there were no significant differences in sex and age. In addition, the decrease of both occlusal support and trunk muscle strength affected to tongue muscle strength. Furthermore, in elderly individuals requiring long-term care, there was significant relationship between swallowing muscles and trunk muscle mass index, and diet level was related to mobilization time. It was indicated that atrophy of body muscles due to prolonged bed rest could affect the swallowing function. In conclusion, an assessment of oral and swallowing function should comprise not only the oral region, but also the whole body.

Free Research Field

摂食嚥下リハビリテーション

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

摂食嚥下関連筋は加齢や疾患、廃用により筋力・筋量が減少するが、全身のどのような部位の筋量や筋力と関連があるのかは不明であった。本研究では、健常高齢者における舌の筋力と体幹の筋力との関連性および咬合状態による影響、要介護高齢者の摂食嚥下関連筋の筋量が体幹筋指数と関連することを明らかとした。これらの結果は、口腔と全身は密接に影響していることを示唆しており、全身評価が摂食嚥下リハビリテーションにおける新たなアプローチとなることで、介護予防を含めた国民の健康増進に寄与できると考える。