Event-Based but Not Time-Based Prospective Memory Is Related to Oral Health in Late Adulthood.
Age-related cognitive decline
Dental-related functionality
Oral health
Prospective memory
Journal
Gerontology
ISSN: 1423-0003
Titre abrégé: Gerontology
Pays: Switzerland
ID NLM: 7601655
Informations de publication
Date de publication:
2021
2021
Historique:
received:
09
04
2020
accepted:
11
09
2020
pubmed:
12
1
2021
medline:
5
10
2021
entrez:
11
1
2021
Statut:
ppublish
Résumé
Most evidence now indicates that cognitive function is related to poorer oral health in late adulthood, but that this relationship is not invariant across specific cognitive domains. Prospective memory (PM) is a core memory skill that refers to memory for future intentions and is known to be related to the formation of habits such as tooth flossing. However, the relationship between PM and oral health has been subject to only limited empirical study. The two studies reported in this paper were designed to test whether PM is related to oral health in older adults of varying vulnerability status. Study 1 sampled community-dwelling older adults (N = 172) living independently in the community; Study 2 sampled older adults living in a retirement village (N = 32). Participants in both studies were asked to complete a behavioural measure of PM, with their oral health indexed via self-report (Study 1) or an objective oral health exam (Study 2). In both studies, relationships emerged between event-based PM and oral health, with Study 2 showing that these relationships were specific to oral health measures of plaque and calculus. Older adults are particularly vulnerable to dental pathology, with important implications for their broader health and well-being. By showing that there is a relationship between oral health and a particular type of PM, this work will have potential implications for the development of more effective interventions focused on enhancing oral health outcomes in this group, such as those focused on strengthening habit formation.
Sections du résumé
BACKGROUND
Most evidence now indicates that cognitive function is related to poorer oral health in late adulthood, but that this relationship is not invariant across specific cognitive domains. Prospective memory (PM) is a core memory skill that refers to memory for future intentions and is known to be related to the formation of habits such as tooth flossing. However, the relationship between PM and oral health has been subject to only limited empirical study.
OBJECTIVE
The two studies reported in this paper were designed to test whether PM is related to oral health in older adults of varying vulnerability status.
METHODS
Study 1 sampled community-dwelling older adults (N = 172) living independently in the community; Study 2 sampled older adults living in a retirement village (N = 32). Participants in both studies were asked to complete a behavioural measure of PM, with their oral health indexed via self-report (Study 1) or an objective oral health exam (Study 2).
RESULTS
In both studies, relationships emerged between event-based PM and oral health, with Study 2 showing that these relationships were specific to oral health measures of plaque and calculus.
CONCLUSIONS
Older adults are particularly vulnerable to dental pathology, with important implications for their broader health and well-being. By showing that there is a relationship between oral health and a particular type of PM, this work will have potential implications for the development of more effective interventions focused on enhancing oral health outcomes in this group, such as those focused on strengthening habit formation.
Identifiants
pubmed: 33429388
pii: 000511607
doi: 10.1159/000511607
doi:
Types de publication
Journal Article
Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
Langues
eng
Sous-ensembles de citation
IM
Pagination
112-120Informations de copyright
© 2021 S. Karger AG, Basel.