Oral Rehabilitation and Multidisciplinary Team Approach in Older Adult: A Narrative Review

<b>Background/Objectives</b>: Oral frailty and hypofunction in older adults are strongly associated with declines in nutritional status, physical function, swallowing ability, and overall health. Isolated interventions usually fail to achieve sufficient improvement since these conditions result from interrelated biological, psychological, and social factors. Multidisciplinary approaches combining oral management, nutritional support, and physical rehabilitation have shown promise. This narrative review synthesized evidence from 15 studies examining multifaceted interprofessional interventions across hospitals, communities, long-term care facilities, and home-care settings. <b>Methods</b>: A structured search of PubMed and Web of Science (2000-2025) identified original studies assessing oral, nutritional, or physical outcomes in older adults post-interprofessional interventions. Fifteen eligible studies were extracted; the findings were integrated using narrative synthesis owing to design and outcome heterogeneity. <b>Results</b>: Educational multidisciplinary interventions improved oral hygiene, caregiver awareness, and oral motor function. Multidisciplinary rehabilitation and multidomain programs consistently improved tongue pressure, swallowing function, mastication ability, appetite, body composition, activities of daily living, and oral intake resumption. Nutrition support team-delivered interventions reduced aspiration risks and improved oral environment and swallowing function. Community-based programs using munchy meals and combined exercises enhanced oral and physical functions. Social participation provided psychological benefits. Home-care dysphagia rehabilitation enabled 69% of tube-fed patients to resume oral intake. <b>Conclusions</b>: This narrative review supports a triadic, interprofessional approach in geriatric care, highlighting consistent improvements in oral function through integrated oral, nutritional, and rehabilitative interventions.

Authors

Institutions

Publication Details

Journal
Nutrients
Published
2026-01-26
DOI
https://doi.org/10.3390/nu18030410
Primary Topic
Dysphagia Assessment and Management
Type
article
Field-Weighted Citation Impact
0.00
Controls
|||
ALL TIME
JAN
FEB
MAR
APR
MAY
JUN
JUL
AUG
SEP
OCT
article

Oral Rehabilitation and Multidisciplinary Team Approach in Older Adult: A Narrative Review

Mineka Yoshikawa, Kazuhiro Tsuga, Azusa Haruta, Yukiko Takahashi et al.
Nutrients
Dysphagia Assessment and Management
article

Oral Rehabilitation and Multidisciplinary Team Approach in Older Adult: A Narrative Review

Mineka Yoshikawa, Kazuhiro Tsuga, Azusa Haruta, Yukiko Takahashi, Shion Maruyama
article en

Abstract

<b>Background/Objectives</b>: Oral frailty and hypofunction in older adults are strongly associated with declines in nutritional status, physical function, swallowing ability, and overall health. Isolated interventions usually fail to achieve sufficient improvement since these conditions result from interrelated biological, psychological, and social factors. Multidisciplinary approaches combining oral management, nutritional support, and physical rehabilitation have shown promise. This narrative review synthesized evidence from 15 studies examining multifaceted interprofessional interventions across hospitals, communities, long-term care facilities, and home-care settings. <b>Methods</b>: A structured search of PubMed and Web of Science (2000-2025) identified original studies assessing oral, nutritional, or physical outcomes in older adults post-interprofessional interventions. Fifteen eligible studies were extracted; the findings were integrated using narrative synthesis owing to design and outcome heterogeneity. <b>Results</b>: Educational multidisciplinary interventions improved oral hygiene, caregiver awareness, and oral motor function. Multidisciplinary rehabilitation and multidomain programs consistently improved tongue pressure, swallowing function, mastication ability, appetite, body composition, activities of daily living, and oral intake resumption. Nutrition support team-delivered interventions reduced aspiration risks and improved oral environment and swallowing function. Community-based programs using munchy meals and combined exercises enhanced oral and physical functions. Social participation provided psychological benefits. Home-care dysphagia rehabilitation enabled 69% of tube-fed patients to resume oral intake. <b>Conclusions</b>: This narrative review supports a triadic, interprofessional approach in geriatric care, highlighting consistent improvements in oral function through integrated oral, nutritional, and rehabilitative interventions.

NutrientsVol. 18(3)
Hiroshima University (JP)
Zero hunger
Openalex Percentile: Top 76%
Dysphagia Assessment and Management
AI Navigator

Ask Laika to Summarize, Analyze, and Connect papers live on the map.

Summarize Papers & Methodologies

Extract key findings, datasets, and comparative methods across publications.

Benchmark Rankings & Visual Analytics

Rank top research institutions, authors, funders, topics, and journals by Field-Weighted Citation Impact (FWCI) and paper volume with instant charts.

Connect Distant Disciplines

Bridge topological clusters on the map to find hidden collaborative intersections.

Oral Rehabilitation and Multidisciplinary Team Approach in Older Adult: A Narrative Review — Mineka Yoshikawa, Kazuhiro Tsuga, et al. · Nutrients (2026) | TGRS Research Map | TGRS