Introduction

Frailty is a state of vulnerability associated with life dysfunction, long-term care and mortality due to age-related decrease in various functions. Adequate interventions can return frailty to healthy status. Frailty among elderly can affect quality of life and induce various diseases. Oral frailty is a decrease in oral function.  It can induce malnutrition, and is a risk factor for sarcopenia and long-term care. Thus, intervention of some oral exercises are included in preventive program of long-term care facilities. However, the exercises are not standardized and their effects are little known.

Our mission　　

  To establish comprehensive oral exercise programs on oral and physical functions among pre-frail and frail elderly.
 

Overview of activity

  We will provide comprehensive oral exercise programs to pre-frail and frail elderly aged > 60 years in Okayama University Hospital. We will measure oral and physical functions before and after the programs.
 

Expected effects

　Improvement of oral and physical frailties by comprehensive oral exercise programs can prevent long-term care, which contributes to health promotion.