A Pilot Study of Perceived Mouth Dryness, Perceived Swallowing Effort, and Saliva Substitute Effects in Healthy Adults Across the Age Range

This study: (1) quantified relationships among age, perceived sense of swallowing effort, and ratings of perceived mouth dryness, and (2) examined changes in swallowing effort following application of a gel-based saliva substitute in healthy participants. This was a cross-sectional observational study and data were collected from attendees of a community healthy aging fair. Forty-two healthy participants (mean age  = 65 years; 20 female) were enrolled. Each participant rated perceived effort with swallowing and perceived mouth dryness on a 10-cm horizontal, undifferentiated line. After participants applied a gel-based saliva substitute (Biotene® Oral Balance) to their tongue and oral mucosa, they rated perceived effort with swallowing again. Age was associated with greater perceived mouth dryness (r = 0.37,p <  0.03) but not with perceived swallowing effort (r = 0.16,p = 0.32). Perceived mouth dryness was associated with greater perceived swallowing effort (r = 0.62,p <  0.001). Perceived swallowing effort declined following application of the salivary substitute (mean difference = 9.39 mm,p <  0.002). Age was found to be a significant predictor of perceived mouth dryness (p <  .02); and perceived mouth dryness was found to significantly predict perceived swallow effort (p <  .001). Perceived mouth dryness increased with advancing age, but perceived swallowing effort did not. Regardless of age, participants with higher levels of perceiv...
Source: Dysphagia - Category: Speech-Language Pathology Source Type: research