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Updated: Jun 20, 2026

A Structured Rehabilitation Protocol for Improved Multifunctional Prosthetic Control: A Case Study
Published on: November 6, 2015
Study protocol of the OrkA project: orofacial and communicative activation in old age- a cluster randomized
Wenke Walther1, Martin Ptok2, Klaus Hager3
1Institute of General Practice and Palliative Care, Hannover Medical School, Carl-Neuberg-Straße 1, 30625, Hannover, Germany. Walther.Wenke@mh-hannover.de.
Background:
The process of aging involves numerous changes in the body, influencing physical, mental, and emotional well-being. Age-related changes and degradation can impact various functions of the swallowing process and lead to delayed word retrieval. Individuals with limited linguistic stimulation may experience a more rapid decline in cognitive performance. Thus, this project explores a preventive training program targeting swallowing and linguistic-communicative skills, aimed at preserving the social participation of older individuals residing in nursing homes.
Methods:
A preventive intervention program, combining orofaciopharyngeal and linguistic-communicative components, will be offered twice weekly over 12 weeks in long-term care facilities in the greater Hanover area. The program will aim at: (a) activating sensitive and motor skills in the orofaciopharyngeal area to counter age-related swallowing disorders, and (b) enhancing communicative abilities through semantic-lexical activation. A cluster randomized controlled trial will be conducted to investigate whether the intervention program improves swallowing skills in older adults. Additionally, a secondary analysis will explore the impact on language skills and social participation, as well as program acceptance.
Discussion:
The results will provide valuable insight into the effectiveness of preventive measures addressing swallowing and speech issues in older individuals.
Trial Registration:
The trial was registered with DRKS (German register for clinical trials) in June 2023 (study ID: DRKS00031594) and the WHO International Clinical Trail Registry Platform (secondary register).
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