A new saf e and ef f ect i ve i nt er vent i on f or pr event i on of asp i r at i on pneumon i a by aur a l st imu l at i on wi t h capsa i c i n o i nt ment .

2023 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 20K18283
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Early-Career Scientists
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Review Section: Basic Section 56050:Otorhinolaryngology-related
• Research Institution: The University of Tokushima
• Principal Investigator: KONDO Eiji 徳島大学, 病院, 講師 (50770434)
• Project Period (FY): 2020-04-01 – 2024-03-31
• Keywords: カプサイシン / 外耳道刺激 / 嚥下障害 / 誤嚥性肺炎 / 咳反射 / サブスタンスP / 高齢者

Outline of Final Research Achievements

We have suggested that aural stimulation with capsaicin ointment may enhance the cough reflex in elderly patients with dysphagia, and that repeated stimulation may prevent aspiration pneumonia. In this study, we showed that the combination of this method with swallowing training in elderly patients with dysphagia shortened the time from the start of training to oral ingestion, and that stimulation of the ear canal with capsaicin ointment may promote swallowing training. In addition, this method was performed for bedridden patients with dementia who had difficulty swallowing exercises, and the patient's cough reflex was enhanced, the number of fevers was reduced, and oral intake was continued. Aural stimulation with capsaicin ointment may contribute to the continuation of oral intake by preventing lower respiratory tract inflammation by enhancing the cough reflex in patients with dysphasia.

Free Research Field

耳鼻咽喉科

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

カプサイシン軟膏による外耳道刺激は外用のため誤嚥するリスクがなく、体力や認知機能の低下により嚥下訓練が困難な寝たきり認知症患者にも行える、安全で新しい誤嚥性肺炎の予防法となる可能性がある。カプサイシン軟膏が嚥下障害の治療薬として認可されれば、嚥下障害患者の誤嚥性肺炎の予防や在宅医療への活用により医療経済的にも大きな役割を果たし、超高齢化社会のニーズに応えることができると考えている。