Evaluation of autonomic nerve function in xerostomia induced by autonomic imbalance

2009 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 20791637
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Young Scientists (B)
• Allocation Type: Single-year Grants
• Research Field: Social dentistry
• Research Institution: Niigata University
• Principal Investigator: ITO Kayoko Niigata University, 医歯学総合病院, 助教 (80401735)
• Project Period (FY): 2008 – 2009
• Keywords: 唾液 / 口腔乾燥症 / 自律神経 / 加速度脈波

Research Abstract

Clinical strategy for diagnosis of xerostomia has not yet been established. Although clinicians sometimes utilize questionnaires to assess patients, mental conditions in the course of treatment, repetitive use of them may lead the patient to learn the questions, which possibly interrupt the diagnosis. In the present study, the positive correlation between autonomic nervous function measured by acceleration plethysmography and anxiety score was noted. The results suggest that xerostomia induced by autonomic imbalance can be diagnosed by the method in this study.