Salivary Effects of Facial Vibrotactile Stimulation in Patients with Sjogren’s Syndrome and Poor Salivation

Abstract

We examined the effect of vibrotactile apparatus in patients with Sjögren's syndrome and others with reduced salivation in comparison to normal subjects. The most effective salivation in normal subjects was produced by 89 Hz vibrotactile stimulation with 9.8 μm amplitude on the parotid or submandibular glands vibrotactile stimuli. First, we examined by measuring the weight of dental cotton rolls positioned at the opening of the secretory duct for total salivation 3 min during resting, and then after 5-min intervals, the weights were measured every 3 min of vibrotactile stimulation on salivary glands. Furthermore, we measured facial temperature around vibrators after 2 min of vibration. We investigated 10 poor salivation patients with Sjögren's syndrome (8 patients) defined by examinations (contrast study or scintigraphic test) and others (2 patients). About 50% of patients with poor salivation gained recognition for good results, although they had periods of shortterm (3 months) and long-term effects (6-7 years) during recuperation. Furthermore, facial skin temperatures on both sides of parotid glands were decreased in Sjogren's syndrome after vibration, although their temperatures were increased following recovery. Although the mechanism is not clear, we think that vibrotactile stimulation gives activation to salivary glands under the rising facial temperature.

Effect of Salivation by Facial Somatosensory Stimuli of Facial Massage and Vibrotactile Apparatus

“…However, hand massages are adequate with 2-3 min for an increase of 1°C, as shown in Figure 3. Although a 89 Hz vibrotactile stimulation needs long time of 4-7 years as effective recovery, hand massage for 3 min may have more effect with a repetition of day after day, as shown in the previous paper [1]. A 89 Hz vibrotactile stimulation was spent for 15 min time for an increase of 1°C, and this apparatus got effective by using at morning and night.…”

“…Apparatus of 89 Hz frequency and 9.8 μm amplitude vibrotactile stimulation was chosen by data of the previous papers [1,[5][6][7][8], as shown in Figure 1B-a, -b. We tried three vibrotactile stimuli, (89, 114, and 180 Hz, and others all of 9.8 μm amplitude), and the best salivation was 89 Hz frequency in comparison with others, as shown in Figure 2.…”

“…We tried three vibrotactile stimuli, (89, 114, and 180 Hz, and others all of 9.8 μm amplitude), and the best salivation was 89 Hz frequency in comparison with others, as shown in Figure 2. This apparatus was used by poor salivation patients (especially, Sjogrens's syndrome and so on) and about 50% of patients showed the effect [1]. Stranger hand massage had a limit time to do massage for physical fatigue, so we tried the 89 Hz frequency vibrotactile apparatus for long time of facial stimulation.…”

“…Does somatosensory stimulation in areas of the face and oral cavity promote salivation and recovery of poor salivary glands? We studied the effects of salivary promotion after hand massage and apparatus of vibrotactile stimulation (89 Hz frequency, 9.8 μm amplitude, and 15 min) in normal humans [1]. Namely, we think that the produce of salivation needs effective changes of an autonomic system for salivation following autonomic activity.…”

“…This increase in circulation also elevates the temperature around the gland which may activate acinus gland cells. Initially, we examined the effect of facial somatosensory stimuli by using of the apparatus of vibrotactile stimuli [1,[5][6][7][8]. Secondly, we tried to carry out hand massages, again.…”