Elucidation of the process from deterioration of oral function to deterioration of cognitive function -the viewpoint of nutrition-

2022 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 20K18636
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Early-Career Scientists
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Review Section: Basic Section 57050:Prosthodontics-related
• Research Institution: Kyushu University
• Principal Investigator: Mizutani Shinsuke 九州大学, 歯学研究院, 准教授 (90643312)
• Project Period (FY): 2020-04-01 – 2023-03-31
• Keywords: 口腔機能 / 軽度認知障害 / 栄養摂取

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Oral function decline in older people is associated with nutritional deficiencies, which increases frailty risk and the need for nursing care. This study investigated the association between tongue pressure (TP) improvement and nutritional status at the baseline.
The participants involved in the study were 26 community-dwelling older people with low TP (<30 kPa), who were in Itoshima City, Fukuoka. Oral and physical functions and body composition were measured at the baseline and at follow-up. Two-way analysis of variance revealed that body mass index increased, and maximum masticatory performance, maximum TP, and oral diadochokinesis /pa/ and /ka/ improved in a month. Participants with higher TP improvement showed an increased intake of animal proteins at the baseline: fish, meat, and egg. Oral function exercises for improving TP were associated with higher animal protein intake at the baseline.

Free Research Field

高齢者歯科学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

本研究課題では、地域在住高齢者を対象として、身体的プレフレイルに関連する口腔機能を調査した結果、舌前方運動や咀嚼機能が低下していることが明らかになった。また、舌圧が低下している者を対象として、口腔機能を改善させる介入を行ったところ、動物性たんぱく質を摂取している者において、その改善が認められた。一方、認知機能は関連がなかった。口腔機能を向上させるためには、機能訓練だけではなく適切な栄養摂取も必要であることが明らかになった。