Abstract:

Objective To develop an oral exercise program for older adults and evaluate its application effects，offering insights for oral frailty intervention strategies. Methods The research team constructed a simple and easy oral exercise program for the elderly with oral frailty，based on systematic literature reviews，expert consensuses，and pilot studies. From June 2024 to October 2024，82 older patients with oral frailty were enrolled of Geriatrics Department from a tertiary hospital in Nanjing City. Using Zelen’s design，participants were randomized into an experimental group and a control group，with 41 cases in each group. Participants in the intervention arm underwent a 3-month，oral exercise regimen （2 × 12-minute sessions/day，≥5 sessions/week） adjunctive to standard oral health education. The control group received standard education only. Oral frailty，chewing function，swallowing function and oral motor function of the 2 groups were compared before and after the intervention. Results Ultimately，37 participants were enrolled in the intervention group and 38 in the control group. After the intervention，the intervention group showed significantly better outcomes in oral frailty and swallowing function compared to the control group（P<0.05）. However，there were no statistically significant differences between the 2 groups in masticatory function and oral motor function（P>0.05）. Conclusion The established oral exercise program can effectively improve swallowing function and oral frailty in the elderly with oral frailty.

Key words: Aged, Oral Frailty, Oral Function Exercise, Nursing Care

摘要：

目的 构建老年患者口腔功能锻炼方案并探讨其应用效果，为老年人的口腔衰弱干预提供借鉴。方法 基于文献研究、专家论证、预试验构建针对口腔衰弱老年人的口腔功能锻炼方案。2024年6—10月，便利选取在南京市某三级医院老年医学科就诊的82例口腔衰弱老年人为研究对象，按随机征求许可设计分为试验组和对照组，每组各41例。试验组接受常规的口腔健康指导和口腔功能锻炼干预（每天2次，每次12 min，每周≥5 d，持续3个月），对照组接受常规的口腔健康指导。比较干预前后两组口腔衰弱情况、咀嚼功能、吞咽功能、口腔运动功能。结果 最终试验组纳入37例，对照组纳入38例。干预后，试验组口腔衰弱情况、吞咽功能优于对照组（P<0.05），两组咀嚼功能、口腔运动功能比较，差异无统计学意义（P>0.05）。结论 实施口腔功能锻炼方案能有效改善口腔衰弱老年患者的吞咽功能和口腔衰弱状况。

关键词: 老年人, 口腔衰弱, 口腔功能锻炼, 护理