Abstract
Patient: A 73-year-old male with moderate cerebrovascular dementia was diagnosed as dysphagia by videofluoroscopic examination. A new exercise of sucking lollipop candy for about 15 minutes was added to his usual dysphagia rehabilitation for 6 months. Changes in swallowing and other oral function, number of bacteria on his tongue surface, body weight and diet condition were investigated during the rehabilitation period. After 6 months of intervention, tongue movement was improved, maximum voluntary tongue pressure, body weight and amount of diet was increased, while the amount of food residue of bolus and the number of oral bacteria were decreased.
Discussion: In addition to the usual rehabilitation, sucking lollipop candy could be applicable and effective for preventing deterioration of oral function and oral muscles due to disuse, in spite of insufficient understanding of the rehabilitation instructions due to moderate dementia.
Conclusion: Sucking lollipop exercise could be a prospective option which improves the oral environment in addition to oral function of dementia patients.
