ABSTRACT
This study compared the effects of programs according to management type by preparing a manual for oral muscle exercises that integrates oral movement and oral massage. The program was performed on 14 elderly patients in a seniors' college self-practice program group and 28 elderly patients in a social welfare center expert intervention group. In the self-practice group, an expert demonstrated oral muscle exercises and subsequently encouraged self-practice by selecting an oral muscle exercise leader. In the expert intervention group, an expert demonstrated oral exercises on a one-on-one basis and subsequently gave oral muscle massages. In the self-practice group, there was no difference in saliva secretion (p=0.213) or oral dryness (p=0.206), after the intervention, the expert intervention group showed improvements in saliva secretion (p=0.009) and oral dryness (p=0.007). There was no difference in program satisfaction between groups (p=0.143), and both groups reported high satisfaction. As seniors may have difficulty in maintaining oral health behaviors, a certain amount of expert intervention may be needed. The results suggest that both a self-practice oral exercise program and an expert intervention program can be effective elderly patients.