Tongue pressure strength and accuracy training (TPSAT) has been proposed as an intervention to improve dysphagia. However, the effects of TPSAT on dysphagia in subacute stroke patients remain unclear. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of TPSAT on tongue pressure strength, swallowing function, and quality of life in subacute stroke patients with dysphagia. Sixteen subacute stroke patients were assigned randomly to two groups: the TPSAT group (n=8) or the control group (n=8). In the former, both TPSAT and traditional dysphagia therapies were performed for 30 min each per day; in the latter, only traditional dysphagia therapy was performed for 30 min twice a day. Both groups performed each daily intervention five times per week for 8 weeks. To assess the tongue pressure strength, maximum isometric tongue pressures (MIPs) of the anterior and posterior tongue using the Iowa Oral Performance Instrument were measured before and after the intervention. Mann Assessment of Swallowing Ability (MASA) and Swallowing-Quality of Life (SWAL-QOL) were also used to assess the swallowing function and quality of life, respectively. TPSAT with traditional dysphagia therapy significantly improved MASA, SWAL-QOL, and MIPs both anteriorly and posteriorly, and traditional dysphagia therapy significantly increased MASA, SWAL-QOL, and MIPs anteriorly (P<0.05). The TPSAT group showed a significant improvement in anterior and posterior MIPs and tongue movement score in MASA compared with the control group (P<0.05). Our findings suggest that TPSAT may significantly improve dysphagia management in subacute stroke patients.

The aim of this study was to examine the factors influencing perceived oral health in elderly individuals residing in the community. Methods: This study used raw data from the Korea community health survey, 2016. Of the 64,223 participants that were elderly (aged ≥ 65 years), 61,280 (95.4%) were included for analysis. Self-rated oral health was the dependent variable and 6 independent variables including age, gender, type of area of residence (metropolitan or provincial), educational level, income, and living status with spouse were assessed. Oral function was studied based on mastication, pronunciation, and use of dentures, and oral health behavior included brushing teeth after breakfast, after lunch, after dinner, and before sleep). The EQ-5D questionnaire measured health-related quality of life (mobility, self-care, usual activities, pain/ discomfort and anxiety/depression). Results: Among the general characteristics, age, gender, educational level, income, and living status with spouse were the factors that affected self-rated oral health. Mastication, pronunciation, use of dentures, and brushing after lunch, dinner, and before sleep were the factors that influenced self-rated oral function. All domains of the EQ-5D (pain/discomfort, mobility, self-care, usual activities, and anxiety/ depression) were factors that affected self-rated oral health. Conclusion: The results of the current investigation suggest that the development of management and education strategies for oral health promotion in the elderly, should focus on improving oral function and oral health behavior, taking into account the socioeconomic and demographic characteristics that have been shown to be associated with poor self-rated oral function.

[Purpose] This study investigated the effect of chin tuck exercise (CTE) using a neckline slimmer device on suprahyoid (SH) and sternocleidomastoid (SCM) muscle activation in healthy adults. [Subjects and Methods] We measured activation of the SH and SCM muscles using surface electromyography in 20 healthy adults during head lift exercise (HLE) and CTE using a neckline slimmer device. The order of exercises was randomized and the mean and peak values of each muscle’s activation were assessed. [Results] During the CTE using a neckline slimmer device, SH activation was significantly greater and SCM activation was significantly lower than during the HLE. [Conclusion] This study suggest that chin-tuck exercise using a neckline slimmer device may be more helpful than HLE for swallowing training.

Objective To investigate the effectiveness of a novel and complex intervention in community-dwelling people with intellectual disabilities.Methods Forty-three participants completed the experiment. The subjects were randomly assigned the experimental (n=33) or control (n=10) groups. The multicomponent intervention program comprised exercise and nutrition management and behavior modification. The intervention was performed for 60 minutes once weekly for 10 weeks. The assessment included anthropometric data, body composition and blood pressure analysis, and blood tests. In addition, pulmonary function, physical function, and health-related quality of life were measured before and after the intervention.Results No adverse events occurred during the intervention. After the intervention, the experimental group showed a significantly higher increase in high-density lipoprotein cholesterol level than did the control group (effect size=0.152, p=0.019).Conclusion This innovative intervention was effective in improving cardiovascular health. Even greater effects could be achieved through improvements in implementation strategies to increase compliance.

[Purpose] The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of lumbar lordosis assistive support (LLAS) on craniovertebral angle (CVA) and mechanical properties of the upper trapezius (UT) muscle in subjects with forward head posture (FHP). [Subjects and Methods] This study recruited 20 subjects with FHP. CVA and muscle tone, viscoelasticity, and stiffness of the UT were measured using Myoton in all subjects in a sitting position with LLAS and in a neutral sitting position. The order of measurements was randomized and the mean values were calculated twice. [Results] The sitting position with LLAS showed a significantly greater improvement than the neutral sitting position with regard to CVA and muscle tone, viscoelasticity, and stiffness of the UT. [Conclusion] We suggest that the sitting position using LLAS induces the maintenance of normal neck posture and a reduction in the muscle tone of the UT in the subjects with FHP.