2022 Volume 85 Issue 1 Pages 28-38
Afferent stimulation from the oral cavity affects swallowing reflex movements. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of sensory input to the oral mucosa on the voluntary swallowing reflex.
[Aims/objectives]. The subjects were the patients over 65 years old who was hospitalized in the convalescence ward, and 3 meals ingestion was possible. Thirty-one subjects [Nine, male and Twenty-two, female (Average age: 82.4 years old)] were randomly divided into stretch (n=15) and vibratory (n=16) groups. The Repetitive Saliva Swallowing Test (RSST), RSST accumulated time, oral mucosa wetness, and maximum tongue pressure were measured pre and post stimulation.
The RSST significantly improved in both the stretch and vibratory stimulus groups (P<0.05). The RSST accumulated time was measured up to the third time and was significantly shortened only in the stretch stimulus group (P<0.05). There were no significant differences in oral mucosal wetness and maximal tongue pressure.
Within the limitations of this study, it can be concluded that the swallowing reflex induction could be improved by stretch and vibratory stimulus to the oral mucosa. In the vibratory stimulus group, there was no significant difference in RSST accumulated time. Potential reason is receptor temporarily becomes desensitization right after the stimulus. For the future, it is recommended to examine the change of the RSST accumulated time after the fourth. Shika Igaku (J Osaka Odontol Soc) 2022; Mar; 85(1): 28-38.
