Association of physical performance with oral function in older women participating in community‐based health exercise programs. Issue 3 (28th December 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Miyoshi, Sanae; Saito, Ayumi; Shigeishi, Hideo; Sugiyama, Masaru
• Is Part Of: Clinical and experimental dental research. Volume 6:Issue 3(2020)
• Page Start: 311
• Page End: 317
• Publication Date: 2019-12-28
• Subjects: community‐based health program -- older women -- oral function -- physical function -- skeletal muscle mass; Dentistry -- Periodicals; Dentistry; Oral Medicine; Mouth Diseases; Dentistry; Periodicals; Periodicals; Fulltext; Internet Resources; Periodicals; 617.6
• DOI: 10.1002/cre2.277
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2057-4347

Abstract

Abstract: Objectives: This study aimed to clarify the relationship between physical performance and oral function in older women participating in community‐based physical and oral exercise programs. Material and methods: We included 163 older women (mean age: 77.4 ± 8.6 years) who participated in weekly health programs in Takehara City, Hiroshima Prefecture, Japan, from August to December 2018. Physical fitness was assessed using a handgrip strength test, a timed up and go test, a one‐leg standing time with eyes open test, and a 30‐s chair stand test (CS‐30). Tongue pressure, oral diadochokinesis, and dysphagia risk assessment for the community‐dwelling elderly were used to assess oral function. Results: Participants were divided into women aged 65–74 years (younger group) and those aged ≥75 years (older group). There was no significant difference in oral function measures between the groups. A significant correlation was found between CS‐30 and oral diadochokinesis for /pa/, /ta/, and /ka/ (Spearman's rank correlation; /pa/: r = .234, p = .009; /ta/: r = .299, p = .001; and /ka/: r = .283, p = .002) in the older group. Multivariable analysis revealed a significant positive relationship between CS‐30 and /ta/ repetition in the older group ( p = .016). Conclusions: Oral function (i.e., tongue motor function) may be associated with physical performance (i.e., lower leg muscle strength) in women aged ≥75 years. Further study is necessary to clarify sex differences in oral function deterioration.