Tongue Strength of Older Adults Requiring Long-Term Care Varies throughout the Day
Shin Yoshinaka,
Kohei Yamaguchi,
Ryosuke Yanagida,
Miki Ishii,
Kazuharu Nakagawa,
Kanako Yoshimi,
Ayako Nakane,
Yusuke Matsuyama,
Jun Aida,
Haruka Tohara
Affiliations
Shin Yoshinaka
Department of Dysphagia Rehabilitation, Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Tokyo Medical and Dental University (TMDU), 1-5-45 Yushima, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8510, Japan
Kohei Yamaguchi
Department of Dysphagia Rehabilitation, Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Tokyo Medical and Dental University (TMDU), 1-5-45 Yushima, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8510, Japan
Ryosuke Yanagida
Department of Dysphagia Rehabilitation, Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Tokyo Medical and Dental University (TMDU), 1-5-45 Yushima, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8510, Japan
Miki Ishii
Department of Dysphagia Rehabilitation, Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Tokyo Medical and Dental University (TMDU), 1-5-45 Yushima, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8510, Japan
Kazuharu Nakagawa
Department of Dysphagia Rehabilitation, Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Tokyo Medical and Dental University (TMDU), 1-5-45 Yushima, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8510, Japan
Kanako Yoshimi
Department of Dysphagia Rehabilitation, Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Tokyo Medical and Dental University (TMDU), 1-5-45 Yushima, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8510, Japan
Ayako Nakane
Department of Dysphagia Rehabilitation, Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Tokyo Medical and Dental University (TMDU), 1-5-45 Yushima, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8510, Japan
Yusuke Matsuyama
Department of Oral Health Promotion, Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Tokyo Medical and Dental University (TMDU), 1-5-45 Yushima, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8510, Japan
Jun Aida
Department of Oral Health Promotion, Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Tokyo Medical and Dental University (TMDU), 1-5-45 Yushima, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8510, Japan
Haruka Tohara
Department of Dysphagia Rehabilitation, Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Tokyo Medical and Dental University (TMDU), 1-5-45 Yushima, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8510, Japan
Physical performance shows approximately 30% diurnal variation; however, diurnal variation in oral function remains unclear. This study aimed to determine the diurnal variation in oral and swallowing function in older adults requiring long-term care. The participants included 13 adults aged >60 years (3 men and 10 women, mean age: 77.2 ± 6.3 years, age range: 62–90 years) requiring long-term care. Tongue strength (TS) and oral mucosal moisture were measured as indices of oral and swallowing function, while hand grip strength was measured as an index of general muscle strength. The patients were asked to participate in a “test” after breakfast, lunch, and dinner on the same day. Multilevel linear regression analysis was used to examine diurnal differences in each item. Multilevel linear regression analysis with adjustment for age and sex revealed that TS was significantly higher at noon (p = 0.001) than in the morning. Therefore, caregivers who provide support during meals to older people requiring long-term care should consider the possibility of swallowing function differing according to the time of the day. In conclusion, it may be beneficial to establish a nutritional therapy that accounts for the diurnal variation in TS.
