Trends in intervention studies for improving oral function in older adults: a scoping review

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Objectives: This study aimed to identify the key characteristics of intervention studies designed to improve oral function in older adults and examine the differences in interventional approaches and evaluation tools across academic disciplines. Methods: A scoping review was conducted following the framework proposed by Arksey and O’Malley, and later refined by Levac et al. Studies published until January 2024 were searched in four Korean academic databases (DBpia, KISS, KISTI, and KMBASE). A total of 24 studies met the inclusion criteria and were included. Data concerning the participants, settings, intervention methods, and evaluation tools were charted. Results: In the field of dental hygiene, the interventions mainly targeted communitydwelling older adults and comprised oral exercises involving mouth and tongue movements. They were typically evaluated using the repetitive saliva swallowing test and self-administered questionnaires. In contrast, occupational therapy studies have focused primarily on hospitalized stroke patients, implementing tongue-strengthening exercises and rehabilitation devices, and predominantly employed quantitative and physiologically based assessment tools. Conclusions: Distinct variations in the intervention approaches and evaluation tools were observed across academic disciplines. These findings underscore the need for developing standardized multidisciplinary intervention models and integrated programs applicable to diverse older adult populations.

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