Swallowing exercises using a communication robot

JRCT ID: jRCT1070240064

Registered date:30/09/2024

Basic Information

• Recruitment status: Complete
• Health condition(s) or Problem(s) studied: dysphagia
• Date of first enrollment: 16/01/2024
• Target sample size: 15
• Study type: Interventional
• Intervention(s): Ten participants in the intervention group (5 each in the robot and paper group) and 5 in the non-intervention group will be randomly assigned. The intervention group (robot group and paper-based group) will perform the swallowing exercises program (approximately 6 minutes) using both the robot and paper-based methods three times a week, once a day, whenever they wish (intervention period: 8 weeks). The non-intervention group will not perform the exercises. Chewing and swallowing functions of all groups will be measured on days 0, 28, and 56 of the intervention. Only the intervention group will be interviewed about the swallowing exercises after the end of the intervention.

Outcome(s)

• Primary Outcome: Masticatory and swallowing function (oral diadochokinesis ODK, repeated saliva swallow test RSST, and tongue muscle strength)
• Secondary Outcome: Rate of implementation of swallowing exercises, and factors hindering implementation of exercises

Key inclusion & exclusion criteria

• Age minimum: > 19age old
• Age maximum: Not applicable
• Gender: Both
• Include criteria: Nursing university students who understand the necessity of continuous swallowing exercises for older adults, can install the robot at home and perform swallowing exercises in a prescribed manner, and can cooperate in the measurements on days 0, 28, and 56.
• Exclude criteria: Non-nursing students, dysphagia, and those unable to participate in ongoing research

Related Information

• Primary Sponsor: Aiko Mieno
• Source(s) of Monetary Support: JSPS KAKENHI under Grant Number JP22K10709