Effects of the salivary gland massage program in older type 2 diabetes patients on the salivary flow rate, xerostomia, swallowing and oral hygiene: A randomized controlled trial

Abstract

AimTo evaluate the effect of a salivary gland massage program to improve salivary flow, swallowing, and oral hygiene in older type 2 diabetes patients.MethodsThis randomized control trial consisted of 73 older diabetes patients with a low salivary flow; 39 and 34 in intervention and control groups, respectively. The intervention group received a salivary gland massage from a trained dental nurse, whereas the control group received a dental education. The salivary flow rates were collected using spit methods at baseline, 1‐month and 3‐month follow up. All participants were examined for the objective and subjective symptoms of xerostomia, the Simplified Debris Index and the Repetitive Saliva Swallowing Test.ResultsAfter 3 months, the resting (0.32 vs 0.14 mL/min, P < 0.001) and stimulating salivary flow (3.66 vs 2.83 mL/min, P = 0.025) in the intervention group was significantly higher than the control group. The objective symptoms in the intervention group were significantly lower than the control group after 3 months (1.41 vs 2.26, P = 0.001). The participants who were able to swallow least three times in the Repetitive Saliva Swallowing Test in the intervention group increased by 35.89% after 3 months, whereas the control group increased by 8.82%. Oral hygiene was improved in both groups, but the changes in the intervention were significantly greater than in the control group.ConclusionsThe 3‐month salivary glands massage program increases the salivary flow rate, and affects swallowing, objective dry mouth symptoms and oral hygiene in older patients with type 2 diabetes. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2023; 23: 549–557.