Determination of the relationship between spinal posture, chewing performance and swallowing function in elderly i̇ndividuals

The aim of this study was to determine the relationship between the spinal postural changes that could be seen in elderly individuals with chewing performance and swallowing function. 68 individuals over 65 years old who were living in "Keçiören Municipality Social Welfare Affairs Directorate" were included in this study. Dental status, chewing performance (chewing ability, chewing time), swallowing function [Water Swallow Test, EAT-10 (Eating Assesment Tool) ], posture (tragus angle, torakal kyphosis, lumbal lordosis, posture scale), cognitive functions, quality of life, depression assesment were applied to the individuals. Then, all of the evaluation parameters with chewing and swallowing function were compared and the relationship between them was investigated. As a result of the study, we found that spinal posture is associated with chewing and swallowing performance (p<0.05). The individuals, who had Forward Head Posture (FHP), thoracic hyperkyphosis and higher posture scale points, had difficulty in chewing ability, longer chewing time and also the individuals with high postural assesment scale points had higher EAT-10 points, too (p<0.05). The individuals who had lower chewing performance, showed lower cognitive performance, quality of life scores and higher depressive symptoms. (p<0.05). Additionally, the cases, who had lower educational level, had lower chewing performance, cognitive and quality of life scores (p<0.05). At the end of the study, we determined that relationship between posture and chewing- swallowing functions is the most important functions for nutrition and continuation of life, and that should primarily to be examined problem by interdisciplinary team for planning the rehabilitation and treatment of elderly population, therefore, further studies in assesment and treatment of this subjects would be beneficial. Keywords: Chewing, Swallowing, Spinal Posture, Forward Head Posture, Elderly