Sunday, November 15, 2020

Oral hygiene in stroke survivors undergoing rehabilitation: does upper extremity motor function matters?

My left hand can't grasp anything as small as a toothbrush, maybe the electric toothbrush might be the minimum size for me to actually grasp. I'll try it.

Oral hygiene in stroke survivors undergoing rehabilitation: does upper extremity motor function matters?

 

Received 19 Jul 2020, Accepted 28 Oct 2020, Published online: 07 Nov 2020

Background

Traditionally, stroke rehabilitation outcomes are based on indicators of physical function, such measures may underrate the all-inclusive impact of stroke such as oral health. 

Objectives

To investigate the relationship between upper extremity motor function and oral hygiene status as well as the impact of stroke on Oral Health-Related Quality of Life (OHRQoL). 

Methods

Sixty stroke survivors were included in this cross-sectional survey. Spasticity and motor function/mobility of the affected upper extremity were assessed using the Modified Ashworth Scale and Action Research Arm Test, respectively. Oral hygiene was assessed using the Simplified Oral Hygiene Index and oral health impact was assessed using the 14-item Oral Health Impact Profile. Pearson’s moment correlation coefficient was used to determine the relationship between oral hygiene and upper extremity motor function variables. 

Results

There were significant relationships between the oral hygiene index and Shoulder muscles spasticity (r = 0.374, p = .01), wrist muscles spasticity (r = 0.352, p = .01), as well as basic mobility (r = 0.423, p = .01). An estimated 8% (n = 5) of study participants have their QoL strongly impacted by their oral health. 

Conclusions

Upper extremity motor function variables such as spasticity and basic mobility matters in determining oral hygiene status after stroke. Stroke has little impact on oral health-related quality of life.

 

No comments:

Post a Comment