Literature review of the effect of sole-ground contact while eating on the feeding-swallowing function

Abstract

Feeding-swallowing movements are coordinated movements of the whole body accompanied by muscle contractions, and are affected by the positions of the head, neck, trunk, and lower limbs. However, the effect of sole-ground contact while eating on feeding-swallowing function has not been well examined. This study aimed to review studies on the association of sole-ground contact while eating with feeding-swallowing function. A literature review was conducted using two databases, PubMed and Ichushi-Web. The following keywords were used: ground on foot bottom OR foot bottom ground OR foot flat OR sole-ground contact AND swallowing OR tongue pressure OR mastication OR occlusion. The inclusion criteria were as follows: (a) written in English or Japanese in a peer-reviewed journal, (b) describing the effect of sole-ground contact while eating on the feeding-swallowing function, and (c) published from 1980 – 2022 August. Twenty-six articles were identified, and only four met the inclusion criteria. The results showed that the presence or absence of sole-ground contact while eating affected the swallowing function, occlusal force, and mastication. All articles were experimental studies, and none addressed nursing support for patients' sitting posture while eating. Nurses should pay more attention to support in adjusting the sitting posture, including sole-ground contact while eating, to prevent aspiration pneumonia in elderly patients. Future studies investigating the actual situation of support by nurses for sitting posture while eating in elderly patients are needed to promote nursing support to prevent aspiration while eating in medical facilities and nursing homes.