| Unique ID issued by UMIN | UMIN000061724 |
|---|---|
| Receipt number | R000069966 |
| Scientific Title | Association between oral function and physical function in patients with esophageal cancer: Combined assessment of cancer locomotive syndrome and oral function training using chewing gum |
| Date of disclosure of the study information | 2026/06/01 |
| Last modified on | 2026/05/27 18:20:42 |
Association between oral function and physical function in patients with esophageal cancer: Combined assessment of cancer locomotive syndrome and oral function training using chewing gum
Association between oral function and physical function in patients with esophageal cancer: Combined assessment of cancer locomotive syndrome and oral function training using chewing gum
Association between oral function and physical function in patients with esophageal cancer: Combined assessment of cancer locomotive syndrome and oral function training using chewing gum
Association between oral function and physical function in patients with esophageal cancer: Combined assessment of cancer locomotive syndrome and oral function training using chewing gum
| Japan |
Esophageal cancer
| Gastrointestinal surgery | Oral surgery | Rehabilitation medicine |
Malignancy
NO
At our hospital, we continuously evaluate "Cancer Locomotive Syndrome" (Cancer Loco) to maintain and improve ADL, QOL, physical function, oral function, and nutritional status in cancer patients. Specifically, we have observed that patients undergoing surgical treatment for esophageal cancer often require an extended period to recover their occlusal force due to postoperative dietary restrictions. This study aims to introduce "masticatory training using chewing gum" to promote chewing movements and to verify its therapeutic effect on occlusal force in these patients.
Safety,Efficacy
Occlusal force measured using an impulse-type occlusal force meter (Oramo-bf). The assessment will be conducted at two time points: preoperatively and one month postoperatively. Two measurements will be taken at each session, and the maximum value will be used for analysis.
1. Activities of Daily Living (ADL): Functional Independence Measure (FIM) score.
2. Physical Activity: Measured using a triaxial accelerometer (OMRON HJA-750C).
3. Physical Function: Grip strength, Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB), gait analysis (AYUMiEYE), and Locomotive Syndrome Risk Test (Loco-check).
4. Oral Function: Masticatory performance (using masticatory check gum), Oral Frailty 5-item Checklist (OF-5), tongue pressure, oral diadochokinesis (ODK), and Oral Health Assessment Tool (OHAT-J).
5. Psychological and Fatigue Status: Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) and Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-General (FACT-G) scores.
6. Nutritional Status: Body fluid volume measurement, Malnutrition Universal Screening Tool (MUST), and Global Leadership Initiative on Malnutrition (GLIM) criteria.
Timing of assessment: Preoperatively and one month postoperatively.
Interventional
Parallel
Non-randomized
Open -no one is blinded
Active
NO
NO
Institution is not considered as adjustment factor.
NO
No need to know
2
Prevention
| Maneuver | Other |
Selection and Procedures:
Participants are selected during their first visit to the Cancer Locomotive Syndrome Outpatient Clinic. The study follows a pre-defined observation and examination schedule. As part of standard clinical care for cancer locomotive management, no changes to the treatment plan will be made except for the addition of gum training.
Intervention Details:
Timing of Initiation: After discharge from the ICU.
Duration: From the initiation of training until one month postoperatively (approximately 30 days).
Frequency and Dose: Chewing two pieces of gum for 5 minutes per session, twice daily.
Method: This masticatory training is performed daily for 30 consecutive days. The training is integrated into the standard perioperative rehabilitation program without altering other medical interventions.
This group includes past cases who received standard "Cancer Locomotive Management" and routine perioperative care (early mobilization, respiratory physiotherapy, and swallowing therapy) before the introduction of the gum training. While these patients underwent standard cancer locomotive assessments and interventions, they did not perform the specific masticatory training using chewing gum (5 minutes per session, twice daily, for 30 days) defined in this study.
| 20 | years-old | <= |
| 100 | years-old | >= |
Male and Female
Inclusion Criteria:
Patients aged 20 years or older.
Patients with esophageal cancer scheduled for surgical treatment.
Patients enrolled in the study "Physical function and QOL improvement through multidisciplinary intervention for locomotive syndrome in cancer patients" (Approval No. 2025-050).
Patients evaluated by a dentist as capable of performing masticatory training using gum.
Patients capable of preoperative and postoperative follow-up assessments.
Patients who have provided written informed consent for participation in this study.
Participants meeting any of the following criteria will be excluded:
Patients with significant cognitive decline, persistent delirium, or psychiatric disorders that make it difficult to understand study procedures or complete assessments.
Patients for whom the continuation of gum training or rehabilitation therapy is difficult due to severe postoperative complications or comorbidities.
Patients with dental conditions (e.g., severe tooth loss or significant oral pain) that prevent safe gum chewing.
Patients otherwise judged as inappropriate for participation by the principal investigator.
50
| 1st name | Kazuma |
| Middle name | |
| Last name | Mastunaga |
Kagawa University Hospital
Division of Rehabilitation, Department of Medical Technology
761-0793
1750-1 Ikenobe, Miki-cho, Kita-gun, Kagawa
087-891-2306
matsunaga.kazuma@kagawa-u.ac.jp
| 1st name | Kazuma |
| Middle name | |
| Last name | Matsunaga |
Kagawa University Hospital
Division of Rehabilitation, Department of Medical Technology
761-0793
1750-1 Ikenobe, Miki-cho, Kita-gun, Kagawa
087-891-2306
matsunaga.kazuma@kagawa-u.ac.jp
Kagawa University Hospital
Kazuma matsunaga
Not Applicable
Self funding
Kagawa University Hospital
1750-1 Ikenobe, Miki-cho, Kita-gun, Kagawa
087-891-2306
matsunaga.kazuma@kagawa-u.ac.jp
NO
香川県
| 2026 | Year | 06 | Month | 01 | Day |
Unpublished
Preinitiation
| 2026 | Year | 05 | Month | 27 | Day |
| 2026 | Year | 05 | Month | 27 | Day |
| 2026 | Year | 06 | Month | 01 | Day |
| 2028 | Year | 03 | Month | 31 | Day |
| 2030 | Year | 03 | Month | 31 | Day |
| 2026 | Year | 05 | Month | 28 | Day |
| 2026 | Year | 05 | Month | 27 | Day |
Value
https://center6.umin.ac.jp/cgi-open-bin/icdr_e/ctr_view.cgi?recptno=R000069966