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Effects of Masticatory Muscles Training Exercises on the Masticatory Performance and Rehabilitation of Stroke Patients

Phase 2
Conditions
Mastication
Interventions
Device: Masticatory muscle training exerciser
Registration Number
NCT05503420
Lead Sponsor
The University of Hong Kong
Brief Summary

Stroke is one of the top causes of death and morbidity of adults, especially the older population in the economically developed countries. People who survives from stroke attack usually suffer from a wide range of impairments and often have poor chewing ability even when they are physically well enough to be discharged from hospital. Aim of this proposed study is to investigate the effects of providing masticatory muscles training exercises on the masticatory performance, nutrition intake and general health conditions of stroke rehabilitation patients. Around 100 stroke patients undergoing rehabilitation in the rehabilitation centre in Tung Wah Eastern Hospital, Hong Kong, will be recruited and allocated randomly into one of two study groups: Group 1 will be provided with an oral device for chewing muscles exercises and training exercises on chewing (the intervention group); and Group 2 will just follow the current stroke rehabilitation programme which does not have any training in chewing (a negative control group). A video on the chewing muscles exercises will be produced and placed online for the participants in Group 1 to view on demand. Data from the participants in both groups will be collected at four time points: at baseline before provision of the interventions, and at around 1, 3 and 6 months after the intervention. Each participant will be interviewed by a trained interviewer and undergo a clinical examination. The information collected will include the participant's oral health status such as numbers of decayed teeth and occluding tooth pairs, and their masticatory performance measured both objectively by chewing on a colour-changeable gum and subjectively by a chewing function questionnaire. Their type of stroke (ischemic or hemorrhagic) and general health conditions such as physical function status and nutrition intake will be recorded. The masticatory performance and general health conditions of the two groups of study participants at baseline and follow-up evaluations will be compared to assess if the masticatory muscles training exercises can improve the rehabilitation outcomes. It is anticipated that this proposed randomized trial will provide high-level clinical evidence to support the introduction of masticatory muscles training exercises into the rehabilitation programme of stroke patients and to inform how the exercises will benefit the patients, such as improving their chewing ability and general health conditions.

Detailed Description

Not available

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
UNKNOWN
Sex
All
Target Recruitment
96
Inclusion Criteria
  • aged 30 years or above, first-time stroke patient within 20 days post-stroke and medical status being stable
Exclusion Criteria
  • unable to follow basic instructions, unable to communicate clearly, being bed-ridden, dysphagic (on nasogastric tube) and not having any natural teeth in either of the jaws

Study & Design

Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Study Design
PARALLEL
Arm && Interventions
GroupInterventionDescription
exerciserMasticatory muscle training exerciserParticipants will be asked to use a masticatory muscle training exerciser twice daily, 10 minutes each time, and also perform active range of motion for 4 minutes each time.
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
masticatory performance6 months

colour of a color-changeable gum after chewing for 90 seconds measured in a\* value

Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

The University of Hong Kong

🇨🇳

Hong Kong, China

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