Effects of masticatory exercise on cognitive function in community-dwelling older adults

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

Mastication improves cognitive function by activating cerebral cortical activity, and it is important to demonstrate the cognitive effects of masticatory training using a variety of different interventions.

OBJECTIVE:

This study aimed to evaluate the effects of masticatory exercise on cognitive function in healthy older adults living in the community.

METHODS:

For six weeks, twelve participants performed a masticatory exercise using a NOSICK exerciser device, and thirteen subjects performed daily life without masticatory exercises. Trail Making Test, Digit Span Test, and Stroop test were used to measure the cognitive function.

RESULTS:

The participants in the experimental group showed significant improvements in TMT-A/B ( $p=$ 0.001 and 0.004), DST-forward ( $p=$ 0.001), and ST-word ( $p=$ 0.001). The effect sizes after the intervention were calculated as (1.2 and 0.8) for TMT-A/B, (0.8 and 0.2) for Digit Span Test forward/backward, and (0.6 and 0.2) for Stroop test color/word.

CONCLUSIONS:

We suggest that the masticatory exercises improve cognitive function in healthy older adults. Therefore, masticatory exercises can be used as a therapeutic exercise during cognitive rehabilitation.