Personalised Masticatory Training Using a Visual Biofeedback‐Assisted Digital Device for Improving Oral Function in Older Adults With Oral Frailty

BACKGROUND: Oral frailty is characterised by age-related declines in oral function, with masticatory dysfunction being one of the most prevalent issues among older adults. OBJECTIVE: This study examined the effects of personalised masticatory training using a visual biofeedback-assisted digital device on oral function in older adults with oral frailty. METHODS: In this study, 50 community-dwelling older adults who were screened and identified as having oral frailty were randomly assigned to either the experimental group or the control group. The experimental group performed personalised masticatory training using a visual biofeedback-assisted digital device, exercising at 70% of their one-repetition maximum (1-RM), with a total of 60 repetitions per day, 5 days per week, for 6 weeks. In contrast, the control group performed gum chewing exercises using gum, matching the experimental group in frequency and duration. The primary outcomes were assessed by measuring maximum occlusal force, masticatory performance, masseter muscle thickness and oral mucosal moisture. RESULTS: As a result, the experimental group demonstrated significantly greater improvements in maximum occlusal force, masticatory performance, masseter muscle thickness and oral mucosal moisture than the control group (all, p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Personalised masticatory training using a visual biofeedback-assisted digital device has been shown to be a more effective method than gum chewing exercises for improving oral function in older adults with oral frailty.