Effect of Head Flexion Exercises on the Swallowing Ability of Elderly Patients：A Quasi-randomized Controlled Trial

Abstract

　Background and aims:　We enrolled elderly patients to perform head flexion exercises and investigated their effects on swallowing ability.

　Methods:　Subjects were assigned alternately to the intervention group and the control group in the order of hospitalization. The intervention group performed repeated head flexion exercises in the supine position for 2 weeks. The control group was limited to normal rehabilitation, with no intervention for swallowing ability or function. The primary outcome was repeated swallowing of saliva three times, and the secondary outcomes were tongue pressure, jaw-opening force, and oral quality of life. The change in the outcome index before and after the intervention was examined by analysis of variance by repeated measurement of two factors and the paired t-test.

　Results:　Only the intervention group showed a significantly reduced outcome index for repeated swallowing of saliva three times and significantly increased tongue pressure and jaw-opening force. Oral quality of life did not significantly differ between the groups. Head flexion exercises are an effective method for improving swallowing ability.

　Conclusion:　Head flexion exercises were shown to be an effective exercise method for improving swallowing ability.