Factors Affecting Mandibular Movement During Mastication in Nursing Home Residents: A Two-Year Follow-Up Study

Area of Science:

• Gerontology
• Oral Health
• Neurology

Background:

• Declining masticatory function impacts diet, nutrition, and cognition in older adults.
• Limited longitudinal data hinders understanding of temporal changes in masticatory kinematics.
• This study addresses the need for prospective data on masticatory changes in long-term care residents.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate factors associated with changes in masticatory movement over two years.
• To identify predictors of altered chewing kinematics in older adults in long-term care.
• To explore the relationship between masticatory changes, skeletal muscle mass, and cognitive function.

Main Methods:

• A two-year follow-up study involving 42 older adults in long-term care facilities.
• Assessment of mandibular kinematic data during rice cracker chewing.
• Analysis using a linear mixed model (LMM) to identify associated factors.

Main Results:

• Changes in chewing cycle count correlated with appendicular skeletal muscle mass index (ASMI) changes.
• Altered linear motion and circular motion frequency were linked to changes in the ABC Dementia Scale (ABC-DS).
• LMM confirmed associations between cycle frequency and ASMI, and between circular motion and ABC-DS.

Conclusions:

• Masticatory movement in institutionalized older adults is influenced by skeletal muscle mass and cognitive status.
• Interventions targeting muscle mass and cognitive function are vital in care facilities.
• Maintaining masticatory function supports nutrition, oral health, and overall well-being, potentially reducing dietary modifications.