Abstract
This study is aimed at investigating the effects of synchronized neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) and chewing exercises on bite force and the masseter muscle thickness in community-dwelling older adults. Material and methods: Forty older adults were enrolled in South Korea and randomly assigned to either an experimental or control group. The experimental group performed chewing exercises using the No-Sick Exerciser equipment synchronized with NMES applied to the bilateral masseter muscles, while the control group performed only chewing exercises. Both groups received interventions for 20 min/day, 5 days/week, for 6 weeks. Bite force was measured using the OCCLUZER device, and masseter muscle thickness was measured using a portable ultrasound. Results: Both groups showed a significant increase in bite force and masseter muscle thickness compared to baseline measurements (p < 0.05). The experimental group showed a significantly higher increase in bite force and masseter muscle thickness than the control group after combined intervention (p < 0.05). Conclusion: This study demonstrates that NMES synchronized with chewing exercises is more efficient in increasing bite force and masseter muscle thickness than chewing exercises alone in community-dwelling older adults.
Highlights
The masticatory muscles are involved in chewing food and forming a bolus in the oral phase of the swallowing process [1,2]
Sarcopenia is a common problem in aging individuals, characterized by atrophy of the skeletal muscles and weakness [5]
We demonstrated that chewing exercises synchronized with neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) were more effective than chewing exercises alone for increasing muscle thickness and occlusal force
Summary
The masticatory muscles are involved in chewing food and forming a bolus in the oral phase of the swallowing process [1,2]. They consist of four muscles: the masseter, temporalis, and lateral and medial pterygoid muscles. Sarcopenia is a common problem in aging individuals, characterized by atrophy of the skeletal muscles and weakness [5]. This may include weakness and atrophy of the masseter muscle, which can cause difficulties in the oral phase of swallowing. Chewing exercises are important to ensure safe swallowing in older individuals who are prone to masseter atrophy
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