Effects of unilateral oral sensory impairment on chewing characteristics and swallowing behavior

Key Points

• This research investigates how unilateral oral sensory impairment affects chewing and swallowing functions.
• Participants with unilateral oral sensory impairment were observed for chewing behavior and swallowing dynamics.
• Chewing characteristics were analyzed using standardized assessments before and after sensory intervention.
• Swallowing behaviors were evaluated through clinical swallowing tests and questionnaires.
• Chewing efficiency decreased significantly with a reported reduction of 30% in effectiveness (p<0.01).
• Swallowing difficulties increased, with 50% of participants reporting moderate to severe dysphagia post-intervention (p<0.05).
• Neuromuscular control abnormalities were noted, suggesting a correlation between sensory impairment and swallowing dysfunction.