Study protocol of the OrkA project: orofacial and communicative activation in old age– a cluster randomized prevention study in long-term care facilities in Lower Saxony, Germany

Abstract

Background: The process of aging involves numerous changes in the body, influencing physical, mental, and emotional well-being. Age-related changes and degradation can impact various functions of the swallowing process and lead to delayed word retrieval. Individuals with limited linguistic stimulation may experience a more rapid decline in cognitive performance. Thus, this project explores a preventive training program targeting swallowing and linguistic-communicative skills, aimed at preserving the social participation of older individuals residing in nursing homes. Methods: A preventive intervention program, combining orofaciopharyngeal and linguistic-communicative components, will be offered twice weekly over 12 weeks in long-term care facilities in the greater Hanover area. The program will aim at: (a) activating sensitive and motor skills in the orofaciopharyngeal area to counter age-related swallowing disorders, and (b) enhancing communicative abilities through semantic-lexical activation. A cluster randomized controlled trial will be conducted to investigate whether the intervention program improves swallowing skills in older adults. Additionally, a secondary analysis will explore the impact on language skills and social participation, as well as program acceptance. Discussion: The results will provide valuable insight into the effectiveness of preventive measures addressing swallowing and speech issues in older individuals. Trial registration: The trial was registered with DRKS (German register for clinical trials) in June 2023 (study ID: DRKS00031594) and the WHO International Clinical Trail Registry Platform (secondary register).