Effectiveness of Specialized Oral Care for Post-acute Stroke Patients

Authors

Hui-Chuan Chen, Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, National Cheng Kung University Hospital, Tainan, Taiwan
Hsiao-Han Wei, Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Taipei City Hospital, Yang-ming Branch, Taipei, Taiwan
Yi-Hsuan Yang, Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Taipei City Hospital, Yang-ming Branch, Taipei, Taiwan
Hsial-Lun To, Cardinal Tien Junior College of Healthcare and Management,Taipei, Taiwan
Hsiao-Fan Wang, Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Taipei City Hospital, Yang-ming Branch, Taipei, Taiwan
Ying-Han Hong, Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Taipei City Hospital, Yang-ming Branch, Taipei, TaiwanFollow

Abstract

(1) Background: Poor oral health is a common problem in stroke patients. In Taiwan, there are professional oral care processes for patients with special needs such as stroke patients, which are guided by dental hygienists. This study sought to investigate the effectiveness of specialized oral care for hospitalized stroke patients; (2) Methods: This prospective study was conducted in the Rehabilitation ward at the Taipei City Hospital. Sixty-six patients were randomly divided into two groups. The specialized oral care group (n=34) was guided by dental hygienists. The control group (n=32) received only routine oral care. The oral health outcome measure was the Oral Health Assessment Tool (OHAT) score, on admission (T0), one-week (T1), two-week (T2), three-week (T3), and four-week follow-up (T4); (3) Results: Both groups showed significant improvements in OHAT after the intervention over time. In the specialized oral care group, the improvement was greater than that in the control group; (4) Conclusions: The specialized oral care provided by dental hygienists is more effective than the usual oral care for the oral health of stroke patients. Incorporating dental hygienists into the care team enhances the comprehensiveness of stroke-integrated care.

Creative Commons License

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Recommended Citation

Chen, Hui-Chuan; Wei, Hsiao-Han; Yang, Yi-Hsuan; To, Hsial-Lun; Wang, Hsiao-Fan; and Hong, Ying-Han (2024) "Effectiveness of Specialized Oral Care for Post-acute Stroke Patients," Rehabilitation Practice and Science: Vol. 2024: Iss. 1, Article 10.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.6315/3005-3846.2242
Available at: https://rps.researchcommons.org/journal/vol2024/iss1/10