Evaluation of masticatory and swallowing function for feeding and nutrition of the elderly by using videoendoscopy.

在超老龄化社会中，咀嚼和吞咽功能非常重要。本研究的目的是通过常用于咽部吞咽评估的视频内窥镜来评估咀嚼。受试者进食两种颜色（绿色和白色）的食物，限制咀嚼时间，并通过视频内窥镜观察口咽中的食物团。随着咀嚼次数的增加，混色程度增加。本研究结果提示，电视内窥镜可用于评价咀嚼功能。

In super-aging society, masticatory and swallowing function is very important. The purpose of this study was to evaluate mastication by videoendoscopy often used for an assessment of pharyngeal swallowing. Subjects ate two colored (green and white) food with restrictive mastication times, and food bolus in oropharynx was observed by videoendoscopy. By increasing the number of mastication, the degree of color mixing was increased. Our results suggested that masticatory function could be evaluated by using videoendoscopy.