The Impact of Swallowing Intervention for Elderly Community Dwellers

The Effect of Simple Swallowing Rehabilitation Training for Elderly Community Dwellers: A Preliminary Study

The goal of this clinical trial is to explore the impact of systematic simple swallowing training on swallowing function and quality of life in community-dwelling elderly individuals (≥60 year old) with swallowing disorders. It primarily aims to address two key aspects: 1) the prevalence of dysphagia among community-dwelling elderly individuals, and 2) the effects of systematic simple swallowing training on swallowing function and quality of life in community-dwelling elderly individuals with swallowing disorders. All participants are divided into 2 groups. The intervention group is required to undergo a continuous three-week (21 days) systematic simple swallowing training, with weekends off and training conducted only on weekdays. The training will be conducted two sessions per day, lasting 15-20 minutes each.

The investigators have designed a simple and user-friendly swallowing rehabilitation training method called "systematic simple swallowing training" based on commonly used swallowing training techniques in the department of rehabilitation medicine and the prevalent pathological causes of swallowing disorders in the elderly. It has shown promising preliminary efficacy. The goal of this clinical trial is to explore the impact of systematic simple swallowing training on swallowing function and quality of life in community-dwelling elderly individuals (≥60 year old) with swallowing disorders. It primarily aims to address two key aspects: 1) the prevalence of dysphagia among community-dwelling elderly individuals, and 2) the effects of systematic simple swallowing training on swallowing function and quality of life in community-dwelling elderly individuals with swallowing disorders. All participants are divided into 2 groups. The intervention group is required to undergo a continuous three-week (21 days) systematic simple swallowing training, with weekends off and training conducted only on weekdays. The training will be conducted two sessions per day, lasting 15-20 minutes each.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Age over 60 years old.
• No hospitalization within the past six months.
• With clear consciousness and able to cooperate with questionnaires and training.
• The elderly people who voluntarily participate and agree to adhere until the end of the study.
• early dysphagia.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Complicated with severe liver and kidney failure, tumors, or hematological disorders.
• Physical disability.
• Difficulty in mobility.
• Simultaneously receiving other therapies that might influence this study.
• Individuals with a gastrostomy.
• Abnormalities of the oral, pharyngeal, or esophageal structures.