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Effectiveness of virtual reality-based oral muscle strength training on oral function in older adults

  • Journal of Korean society of Dental Hygiene
  • Abbr : J Korean Soc Dent Hyg
  • 2024, 24(2), pp.121-130
  • DOI : 10.13065/jksdh.20240013
  • Publisher : Korean Society of Dental Hygiene
  • Research Area : Medicine and Pharmacy > Dentistry
  • Received : February 28, 2024
  • Accepted : March 27, 2024
  • Published : April 30, 2024

Choi Yoon-Young 1 jung eun seo 1 Lee Kyeong-Jin 1 Moon Hyun-Young 2 Yoon Mi-Sook 1 Lee Kyeong-Hee 1

1Department of Dental Hygiene, Shinhan University
2St. Hugh Hospital, Speech Therapy Lab

Accredited

ABSTRACT

Objectives: This study aimed to develop a virtual reality (VR)-based oral strength training program and apply it to older adults to assess improvements in oral function. Methods: The oral strength training was conducted 12 times over 6 weeks, from late August to early October 2023, at the participants’ institution. Each session lasted approximately 60 minutes. Forty-one participants aged 65 and older were randomly assigned to either the intervention or control group. Results: Following the VRbased oral muscle strength training, the O’Leary index decreased by 0.42 (p<0.01), and the Löe & Silness index decreased by 1.11 (p<0.01). Additionally, there was a 1.24 reduction in tongue tie (p<0.01) and a 0.55 increase in salivation (p<0.05). Post hoc comparisons revealed significant differences between the two groups in gingival bacterial film (p<0.001), gingivitis (p<0.001), and tongue plaque (p<0.01). Conclusions: The study found that VR-based oral muscle strength training can improve oral health among older adults. Therefore, the VR-based oral muscle strength training program developed in this study could be beneficial in health promotion programs for the elderly.

Citation status

* References for papers published after 2023 are currently being built.