Enhancing swallowing quality of life in older individuals after the oropharyngeal strengthening exercise

Changes in swallowing occur in all adults over time. Physical changes in older individuals are associated with increased risk for disordered swallowing [1-6]. It is estimated that 40% of adults aged 60 and older currently suffer from swallowing difficulties [4-6]. This high percentage is associated with the motor and sensory functions of swallowing that change with age and age-related disease. Healthy older adults do not present swallowing disorders, but neurologic and neuromuscular age-related changes may increase the risk for swallowing disorder. This phenomenon is referred to as presbyphagia [7]. Presbyphagia involves neuromuscular degeneration of anatomy, physiology, sensory feedback, motor control, and central processing of swallowing [8-11]. Although they can compensate and adjust their swallowing performances based on their necessities, changes in swallowing function influence their quality of life [12,13]. Older individuals are sociable and desire to have opportunities to share mealtimes durPurpose: Older individuals may be vulnerable to swallowing disorders due to age-related neuromuscular changes. Although older individuals have swallowing difficulties, they can improve swallowing by the preventive exercise of swallowing. The purpose of this investigation was to examine whether the oropharyngeal strengthening exercise (OSE) has effects on swallowing quality of life in older individuals.