[Purpose] The purpose of the current study was to clarify problems associated with
swallowing, related to nutrition and activities of daily living (ADL), in elderly
individuals with sarcopenia. [Subjects and Methods] Seventy-seven subjects were assigned
to a sarcopenia or a non-sarcopenia group according to a definition used by the European
Working Group on Sarcopenia in Older People. Analyses were conducted including and
excluding subjects with a central nervous system disorders in order to focus on the
influence of sarcopenia. The swallowing ability, ADL, and nutrition levels were compared
between the 2 groups. [Results] Swallowing function as well as ADL and nutrition levels
were significantly lower in the sarcopenia group than in the non-sarcopenia group.
[Conclusion] It is important to include dimensions of swallowing, nutrition, and ADL in
the assessment and treatment of swallowing problems in elderly individuals with
sarcopenia.
Background Stroke causes severe disability, including motor and sensory impairments. We hypothesized that upper limb functional recovery after stroke may be augmented by combining treatments for motor and sensory functions. In order to examine this hypothesis, we conducted a controlled trial on rehabilitation for sensory function to the plegic hand. Methods The sensory training program consisted of several types of discrimination tasks performed under blind conditions. The sensory training program was performed for 20 min per day, 5 days a week. An experimental group of 31 patients followed this sensory program, while a control group of 25 patients underwent standard rehabilitation. The efficacy of the intervention was evaluated by the tactile-pressure threshold, handgrip strength, and the completion time of manipulating objects. A two-way repeated measures analysis of variance was used to assess interactions between group and time. Moreover, to provide a meaningful analysis for comparisons, effect sizes were calculated using Cohen's d. Results The mean change in the tactile pressure threshold was significantly larger in the experimental group than in the control group (p < 0.05, d = 0.59). Moreover, the completion times to manipulate a middle-sized ball (d = 0.53) and small ball (d = 0.80) and a small metal disc (d = 0.81) in the experimental group were significantly different from those in the control group (p < 0.05). Conclusion The present results suggest that the sensory training program to enhance finger discrimination ability contributes to improvements in not only sensory function but also manual function in stroke patients. The trial is registered with the UMIN Clinical Trials Registry (UMIN000032025).
The roles of human low density lipoprotein (LDL)-cholesterol and high density lipoprotein (HDL)-cholesterol on adrenal steroidogenesis were investigated using cultured human adult and fetal adrenocortical cells and the findings were then compared to those obtained with bovine adrenocortical cells.
Objective numerical data on swallowing function are needed to aid in eating and swallowing intervention and preventive rehabilitation. Using noninvasive methods, the influences of age and differences in size of water bolus on laryngeal activity and respiratory activity were examined in healthy young and older women. Swallowing function was influenced by age and bolus size. Influence of bolus size was recognized only in duration of laryngeal movement in younger women, with no apparent influence in older women. Results for older women were thought to be related to declines in swallowing function with the physiological aging of respiratory and swallowing muscles. In the future, noninvasive methods need to be developed for evaluating function and therapeutic effects against swallowing function impairment and to provide objective numerical data for health insurers.
[Purpose] This study aimed to clarify whether respiratory function differed between
dementia patients using and not using thickening fluids and texture-modifying foods for
swallowing dysfunction management. [Subjects] Sixty-five inpatients in the dementia
treatment ward in a psychiatric facility were enrolled. [Methods] The patients underwent
respiratory function testing twice with an 80-cm party horn. Moreover, information about
the patients' characteristics and use of thickening fluids and texture-modifying foods was
obtained from their medical records. [Results] There was a significant difference in being
able to blow the party horn to its full length between patients using and not using
thickening liquids. [Conclusion] This result suggests that decreased respiratory function
may reflect swallowing dysfunction in dementia patients.
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