Zutphen, L. van (Linda) (2008) The relationship between mastication ability and cognition in older 'people with dementia. thesis, Human Movement Sciences.
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Abstract
Aging of the world population is one of the most important demografic changes of this century. Since aging is the major risk for dementia, the number of demented persons will increase fast in the next decades. Enhancement of functional ability and independence across the life span is of major importance for older people. In aging and subtypes of dementia the prefrontal cortex and the hippocampus are vulnerable for the degeneration process. These areas are responsible for the cognitive functions executive functioning and episodic memory, respectively, and reflect in this way independent functioning. Literature shows that physical activity has a positive influence on cognitive function. Unfortunaly, not all older people are able to perform physical activity such as walking. Human experimental studies suggest that mastication positively influences cognitive function. To the authors knowledge, this relationship has not been examined in older persons with dementia. Therefore the research population of the present study will consist of demented older people from different nursing homes. An extensive examination of the mastication ability was done with respect to mobility of the temporomandibular joint, bite force and occlusal units. Furthermore, a widespread neuropsychological assessment, focused on episodic memory and executive function, has been performed. First, independent t-tests did not show difference in both groups concerning mastication ability and cognition. Data-analyses by means of correlation analyses showed a striking result, i.e. a negative correlation between joint mobility and Eight-Wordstest recognition in the whole group and in both groups separately. A possible mechanism underlying this finding will be discussed.
| Item Type: | Thesis (Thesis) |
|---|---|
| Supervisor name: | Scherder, Prof. Dr. E.J.A. |
| Faculty: | Medical Sciences |
| Date Deposited: | 25 Jun 2020 11:03 |
| Last Modified: | 25 Jun 2020 11:03 |
| URI: | https://umcg.studenttheses.ub.rug.nl/id/eprint/2329 |
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