Effects of Dental Treatments on the Recovery of Oral Function Associated With Dietary Intake in Subacute Stroke Patients: A Multi-Center Prospective Study.

BACKGROUND

Compromised oral function in patients with stroke hinders the recovery of oral food intake and increases complication risk.

OBJECTIVE

This study examined the effects of dental treatments on the recovery of oral function associated with dietary intake levels in patients with subacute stroke in convalescent rehabilitation units as a prospective multi-institutional study.

METHODS

A total of 237 patients with a recent history of stroke (median age: 75 years, median duration after onset: 26 days) admitted to a rehabilitation unit were assessed for oral function at two time points: within one week after admission (baseline) and before discharge (follow-up). Based on the Functional Oral Intake Scale (FOIS) at the baseline assessment, patients were categorised into the Dysphagia diet (DYS; FOIS ≤ 5) and Normal diet (NML; FOIS > 5) groups. Patients received dental treatments during their stay in addition to routine dysphagia rehabilitation. Differences in oral function between the groups and oral function changes from baseline to follow-up assessment were tested using paired t-tests.

RESULTS

At the baseline assessment, 108 patients (45.5%) received a regular diet, with 179 patients (75.5%) consuming a regular diet by follow-up. Dental treatments performed in 92.4% of all patients decreased the frequency of poorly fitting dentures from 63% to 7%. Maximum tongue pressure and lip-tongue motor function improved significantly in both subject groups (p < 0.02), and were significantly better in patients receiving a regular diet at follow-up assessment (p < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

These findings highlight the importance of integrating dental treatments into multidisciplinary stroke rehabilitation regimens to optimize dysphagia recovery outcomes.