Abstract
In Japan, number of nursing facility users who require high nursing care level is increasing every year. The previous study was showed that “meal assistance” was the most difficult care technique for the nursing care staff. In this study, a swallowing sensor was developed to reduce burden of nursing care staff for meal assistance. The electromyogram and acceleration of the digastric muscle was measured both at the resting and at the time of swallowing, and evaluated the time of swallowing by computing an integrated root mean square of electromyogram (iERMS) and that of acceleration (iARMS). Eight healthy males swallowed 2 g or 10 g of pudding, respectively. iERMS and iARMS at the time of swallowing were significantly larger than those at the resting, respectively. Elderly people in a special elderly nursing home also ate their lunch, and iERMS and iARMS were obtained. iERMS and iARMS at the time of swallowing were also significantly larger than those at the resting.
