Enhancing the quality of life in elderly XXXX through a programme to improve the condition of salivary hypofunction.

@entity1 @entity2133
OBJECTIVE: The purposes of this study were to examine the effects of oral exercise intended to improve the function of the oral cavity in the elderly and their quality of life to pave the way for the development of oral-health promotion programmes geared towards the elderly. METHODS: The subjects were 78 female Koreans who resided in Seoul and were aged 65 years and older. During a 3-month period, an oral function promotion programme was conducted twice a week, between 10.00 am and 12.00 pm, applying oral exercise suggested by a Japanese public health centre. A survey was conducted by interviewing the selected @entity1 to determine the state of their subjective @entity2133 , quality of life related to oral health and jaw functional limitation. Their opening, unstimulated whole saliva and pronunciation speed were measured before and after the oral function exercise programme. RESULTS: The subjects showed a significant improvement in subjective @entity2133 , relevant behaviour, the level of discomfort caused by @entity2133 and subjective jaw functional limitation during mastication and swallowing and emotional expression after receiving the oral exercise. After the oral exercise, there was a significant increase in mouth opening, unstimulated whole saliva and speaking speed ('patakala' pronunciation) after oral exercise. There was also significant progress in their quality of life related to oral health. Overall improvement in subjective @entity2133 and relevant behaviour over time after oral exercise had a positive correlation with the level of improvement in discomfort triggered by @entity2133 and mastication. The level of improvement in OHIP-14 had a positive correlation with the level of overall improvement in @entity2133 and behaviour, the level of improvement in discomfort by @entity2133 and that in mastication and swallowing. CONCLUSION: This study showed the effects of the oral function promotion programme and correlation of oral condition and oral health-related quality of life. It is suggested that this oral function promotion programme has positive effects on both objective and subjective oral conditions. It is strongly recommended that this programme, along with other oral health promotion programmes, be implemented to improve oral function and oral health-related quality of life for the elderly.
