Influence of wearing complete dentures on control of head position during walking in edentulous older adults

BackgroundCoordination between the trunk and head is considered important for walking stability. Recent studies have reported that wearing complete dentures could improve trunk stability during walking; however, its effect on the head has not been clarified. ObjectiveThis study aimed to clarify the effect of complete dentures on head stability during walking in edentulous older adults. MethodsTwenty edentulous older adults (11 men and 9 women; mean age, 78.6 +/- 5.8 years) who used complete dentures were included in the study. Acceleration and angle rate sensors were placed on the participants' brow, chin and waist, and they were asked to walk a 20-m passage under two conditions: with and without dentures. The outcomes used to assess head stability were the variance values of acceleration and angle rate, the peak-to-peak values, harmonic ratio, root mean square, integrated values of the difference and dynamic time warping data obtained from the sensors. The variance values of the brow acceleration were compared using a paired t-test, and other outcomes were compared using a Wilcoxon signed-rank test. All significance levels were set at 5%. ResultsIn acceleration without dentures, the variance values of the chin and the peak-to-peak values of the brow and chin were significantly larger than with dentures. Angle rate without dentures, the variance values and the peak-to-peak values of the brow and chin were also significantly larger than with dentures. ConclusionWearing complete dentures while walking might improve head stability and contribute to walking stability in edentulous older adults.