Effect of the Oral Functional Exercises in Day-Care Center Users (4) Findings Based on Questionnaire Surveys to the Users and the Staffs after the Intervention Program

• Published in: The Kitakanto Medical Journal Vol. 61; no. 4; pp. 543 - 548
• Main Authors: Takahashi, Misako, Hashimoto, Yuriko
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: Japanese
• Published: The Kitakanto Medical Society 01.11.2011
• Subjects: day-care center; motivation; oral exercises; population approach
• ISSN: 1343-2826; 1881-1191
• DOI: 10.2974/kmj.61.543

Objective : Effects of oral exercise as a population approach can be enhanced through regular and ongoing support. This study aimed to consider directionality required to facilitate and maintain such support. Subjects and Methods : The subjects were day-care users (n=15) who underwent a 6-month group oral exercise intervention, and day-care staff (n=22) who instructed the exercise sessions. In post-intervention surveys, day-care users were interviewed concerning their impressions of oral exercises and (un) willingness to continue with exercise. Anonymous questionnaire surveys were performed among day-care staff regarding the contents of oral exercises and changes observed in the day-care users after intervention. An investigation period : September, 2008. Results : Most of the day-care users rated oral exercise as "neither good nor poor". Although they were not self-motivated enough to do exercises voluntarily, they were willing to continue in the company of other day-care users. Approximately half of the day-care staff stated that they enjoyed the exercise sessions, while perceiving that the day-care users were also enjoying them. These staff observed various changes in the day-care users after intervention. Conclusion : To maintain oral exercise sessions, it is imperative to enhance motivation among day-care staff, and develop a program based on the actual situation of these staff members.