IADR Abstract Archives
Oral Exercises and Hygiene Interventions Improves OHRQoL in Parkinson’s Disease
Objectives: Parkinson’s disease (PD) is associated with reduced oral health and impaired orofacial function, which may be diminished by systematic oral interventions (Baram et al. 2020). However, the subjective experience of orofacial symptoms and their impact on the oral quality of life (OHRQoL) as well as and the effect of improvements are not fully investigated. The aim of this study is to investigate the effect of interventions for improvement of oral hygiene and function on the self-reported orofacial function and OHRQoL.
Methods: 29 patients with moderate to advanced PD (followed in neurological department in a university hospital) participated in a randomized controlled study with delayed intervention. The patients were instructed in a standardized home exercise program for the jaw and masticatory muscles consisting of training of jaw opening (JawTrainer), and lip and chewing exercises (Ulmer Oral Screen and Proxident Fluoride Gum). Furthermore they were instructed in an individualized oral hygiene program. The effect on self-reported orofacial function and OHRQoL was measured after 2 and 4 months using the Nordic Orofacial Test – Screening (NOT-S), the oral health impact profile (OHIP-14), self-reported drooling score and subjective mastication ability. Non-parametric analyses were performed on the outcome parameters, as the data were not normally distributed.
Results: Self-reported oral health and function before the intervention were significantly correlated to the severity and duration of PD. After instruction 83-89% of the patients reported performing the exercises 4-5 days per week. After 2 months of interventions the NOT-S and drooling score were significantly improved and after 4 months, also the OHIP-14.
Conclusions: The orofacial symptoms affected the OHRQoL in the patients. The interventions improved the self-reported orofacial function and OHRQoL. In addition, it was possible to implement such simple interventions in the allied multidisciplinary healthcare surrounding the PD patient, but the long-term affect is uncertain.
Methods: 29 patients with moderate to advanced PD (followed in neurological department in a university hospital) participated in a randomized controlled study with delayed intervention. The patients were instructed in a standardized home exercise program for the jaw and masticatory muscles consisting of training of jaw opening (JawTrainer), and lip and chewing exercises (Ulmer Oral Screen and Proxident Fluoride Gum). Furthermore they were instructed in an individualized oral hygiene program. The effect on self-reported orofacial function and OHRQoL was measured after 2 and 4 months using the Nordic Orofacial Test – Screening (NOT-S), the oral health impact profile (OHIP-14), self-reported drooling score and subjective mastication ability. Non-parametric analyses were performed on the outcome parameters, as the data were not normally distributed.
Results: Self-reported oral health and function before the intervention were significantly correlated to the severity and duration of PD. After instruction 83-89% of the patients reported performing the exercises 4-5 days per week. After 2 months of interventions the NOT-S and drooling score were significantly improved and after 4 months, also the OHIP-14.
Conclusions: The orofacial symptoms affected the OHRQoL in the patients. The interventions improved the self-reported orofacial function and OHRQoL. In addition, it was possible to implement such simple interventions in the allied multidisciplinary healthcare surrounding the PD patient, but the long-term affect is uncertain.