The Effect of a Masticatory Muscle Training Program on Chewing Efficiency and Bite Force in People with Dementia

Until now, no study has investigated the effects of masticatory muscle training on chewing function in people with dementia. This study aimed to investigate whether physiotherapeutic exercises for the masticatory muscles have an influence on chewing efficiency and bite force in people with dementia. In a clinical trial with stratified randomization subjects were assigned to three groups based on the Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE: group 1—28–30, group 2—25–27, group 3—18–24). Each group was divided into an experimental (ExpG, intervention) and control group (ConG, no intervention). As intervention a Masticatory Muscle Training (MaMuT) (part 1: three physiotherapeutic treatments and daily home exercises, part 2: daily home exercises only) was carried out. Chewing efficiency and bite force were recorded. The MaMuT influenced the masticatory performance regardless of the cognitive state. Bite force increased in ExpG 1 and 2. Without further training, however, the effect disappeared. Chewing efficiency increased in all ExpG. After completion of the training, the ExpG 2 and 3 showed a decrease to initial values. Subjects of ExpG 1 showed a training effect at the final examination, but a tendency toward the initial values was observed. ExpG 3 seemed to benefit most from the physiotherapeutic exercises in terms of improving chewing efficiency by the end of the intervention phase. ExpG 1 showed the greatest gain in bite force. The MaMuT program is a potential method of improving masticatory performance in people with cognitive impairment or dementia when used on a daily basis.