Liu Lin, Hou Ran, Zhang Lingli, Qu Zhixing, Tian Siwen
School of Nursing, Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, China.
Department of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, The Second Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, Shanxi, China.
Eur Geriatr Med. 2025 May 20. doi: 10.1007/s41999-025-01235-7.
Chin tuck against resistance (CTAR) exercise has been proven to be an effective intervention for improving swallowing function in older patients. However, most studies focus on fixed-resistance models and fail to fully incorporate the principle of progressive overload, a cornerstone of strength training. With this study, we explored the effects of progressive CTAR exercise on swallowing function in patients with age-related dysphagia.
Sixty-four community-dwelling older adults (mean age = 81 ± 6 years; males, n = 28, females, n = 36) with age-related dysphagia were randomly assigned to either the experimental group (n = 32) or control group (n = 32) through cluster randomization. Both groups participated in an 8-week oral flexibility training program, with the experimental group receiving additional progressive CTAR exercise. Various outcome measures that included the Standardized Swallowing Assessment (SSA), the Swallowing Quality of Life (SWAL-QOL), and the Test of Mastication and Swallowing of Solids (TOMASS) were assessed at baseline (T0), after 4 weeks of intervention (T1), and after 8 weeks of intervention (T2).
Of the 64 participants, 61 completed the study protocol. Both groups showed significant differences in the SSA score, the SWAL-QOL score, and the total swallowing time at T1 and T2, but the experimental group demonstrated significantly greater improvement than the control group. However, no significant differences were found in the number of chews or swallows between groups, and the number of bites did not show a significant change compared with before the intervention.
Progressive CTAR exercise significantly improves swallowing function and swallowing-related quality of life in patients with age-related dysphagia.
This trial was registered with the Chinese Clinical Trial Registry in July 2024 under registration number ChiCTR2400087548.
抗阻下颌后缩（CTAR）训练已被证明是改善老年患者吞咽功能的有效干预措施。然而，大多数研究集中在固定阻力模型上，未能充分纳入渐进性超负荷原则，而渐进性超负荷是力量训练的基石。通过本研究，我们探讨了渐进性CTAR训练对年龄相关性吞咽困难患者吞咽功能的影响。
64名社区居住的患有年龄相关性吞咽困难的老年人（平均年龄 = 81 ± 6岁；男性28名，女性36名）通过整群随机化被随机分配到实验组（n = 32）或对照组（n = 32）。两组均参加为期8周的口腔灵活性训练计划，实验组接受额外的渐进性CTAR训练。在基线（T0）、干预4周后（T1）和干预8周后（T2）评估了各种结局指标，包括标准化吞咽评估（SSA）、吞咽生活质量（SWAL-QOL）以及固体咀嚼和吞咽测试（TOMASS）。
64名参与者中，61名完成了研究方案。两组在T1和T2时的SSA评分、SWAL-QOL评分和总吞咽时间均有显著差异，但实验组的改善明显大于对照组。然而，两组之间的咀嚼或吞咽次数没有显著差异，与干预前相比，咬的次数也没有显著变化。
渐进性CTAR训练可显著改善年龄相关性吞咽困难患者的吞咽功能和吞咽相关生活质量。
本试验于2024年7月在中国临床试验注册中心注册，注册号为ChiCTR2400087548。
