Abstract
Background: The aim of this prospective cohort study was to clarify changes in physical and oral function in older adults after completing a 3-month health program combining physical and oral exercise, oral health instruction, and nutritional guidance. Methods: Subjects were 34 women aged at least 70 years (mean age 79.2 years) in Bungotakada City, Oita Prefecture, Japan. Physical and oral function was investigated on the first day (baseline), at the end of the program, and 6 and 12 months after completing the health program. Physical function was measured using handgrip strength test, timed up and go (TUG) test and one-leg standing time test. Oral diadochokinesis test and repetitive saliva swallowing test (RSST) were employed to assess oral function. Results: TUG scores were significantly lower at 6 and 12 months than at baseline in participants aged ≥70 and <80 years. The repetition rate of the monosyllables /pa/, /ta/, and /ka/ was improved at the end of program in participants aged ≥70 and <80 years and increased to more than 6 times/second at 12 months. Conclusions: Our 3-month health program maintained improvements in oral and physical function in older women 1 year after completing the program.
Highlights
A community-based integrated care system model has been introduced by the JapaneseMinistry of Health, Labour and Welfare to ensure that lifestyle assistance, healthcare services, and nursing care are provided in accordance with older adults’ needs [1]
Since 2015, the local government of Bungotakada City, Oita Prefecture, Japan, has been providing a combined health program, including oral health instruction, physical and oral exercise, and nutritional guidance to older adults living in local communities to promote healthy living [7]
We have previously reported that handgrip strength, walking ability, and oral function were improved in community-dwelling older adults at the completion of this program compared with the baseline [7]
Summary
Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare to ensure that lifestyle assistance, healthcare services, and nursing care are provided in accordance with older adults’ needs [1] This model supports older adults to remain healthy and live independently in the community, and to continue living in their homes even when they need to receive long-term care [2,3]. Since 2015, the local government of Bungotakada City, Oita Prefecture, Japan, has been providing a combined health program, including oral health instruction, physical and oral exercise, and nutritional guidance to older adults living in local communities to promote healthy living [7]. It is assumed that oral and physical function may be maintained or decline after completing participation in a health program in accordance with the participant’s age group It remains unknown how oral and physical function changes after completing a health program Conclusions: Our 3-month health program maintained improvements in oral and physical function in older women 1 year after completing the program
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