Construction of training support system for orbicularis oris muscle based on mouth pressure fluctuation

Abstract

There is a tendency that the elderly persons decline in feeding and swallowing. It is known that the oral training such as a facial exercise has an effect to facilitate a smoothness swallowing motion. Especially, the orbicularis oris muscle is related to the salivary secretion and it is one of the significant part to swallow something. This paper describes the evaluation of the face exercises for the orbicularis oris muscle by using the lip pressure force. The developed equipment could measure the pressed force between the upper and lower lips. In the test trial, it was confirmed that the pressed force could be successfully measured to evaluate the ability of the orbicularis oris muscle.