Effects of functional training of dysphagia to prevent pneumonia for patients on tube feeding

Abstract

Objective: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of functional training on outbreak frequency of pneumonia for the elderly dysphagia patients who were being tube fed.

Methods: Subjects were divided into two groups; one group (n = 10) received oral care (i.e. non-training group) and the other group (n = 11) received functional training of dysphagia in addition to oral care (i.e. training group). The dental health team treated subjects once a week for 3 years (1999-2001). The frequency of pneumonia outbreaks and changes in activities of daily living scale (ADL) were evaluated for each year.

Result: It was recognised that the frequency of pneumonia in the training group decreased year by year (p < 0.05). Cognitive items in ADL improved in two subjects of the training group. No statistical differences were recognised in the non-training group.

Conclusion: It was suggested that once-a-week functional training of dysphagia with professional oral care might be effective in preventing pneumonia for elderly people who were being tube fed.