Change search
CiteExportLink to record
Permanent link

Direct link
Cite
Citation style
  • apa
  • ieee
  • modern-language-association-8th-edition
  • vancouver
  • Other style
More styles
Language
  • de-DE
  • en-GB
  • en-US
  • fi-FI
  • nn-NO
  • nn-NB
  • sv-SE
  • Other locale
More languages
Output format
  • html
  • text
  • asciidoc
  • rtf
Automated Assessment of Test of Masticating and Swallowing Solids Using a Neck-Worn Electronic Stethoscope: A Pilot Study
Department of Oral Health Sciences for Community Welfare, Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Institute of Science Tokyo, Tokyo, Japa.
Department of Advanced Biomaterials, Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Institute of Science Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan.
RISE Research Institutes of Sweden, Bioeconomy and Health, Food Research and Innovation. Chalmers University of Technology, Gothenburg, Sweden.ORCID iD: 0000-0003-0310-4465
Show others and affiliations
2025 (English)In: Journal of Oral Rehabilitation, E-ISSN 1365-2842Article in journal (Refereed) Published
Abstract [en]

Background: The Test of Masticating and Swallowing Solids (TOMASS) is a validated screening tool for assessing masticatory and swallowing functions. However, the conventional TOMASS relies on operator-dependent methods, which limit its objectivity and efficiency. The neck-worn electronic stethoscope (NWES), a contact sensor positioned on the back of the neck, has recently been developed to automatically detect and monitor swallowing actions through deep learning-based analysis of collected sound data. Objective: This study piloted a semi-automated assessment approach using a NWES to objectively measure TOMASS parameters and examine the influence of age and gender. Methods: A total of 123 healthy adults (mean age: 58.7 ± 18.5 years) consumed two crackers while audio data recorded using a NWES and visual data were collected by smartphone. Measurements included discrete bite count, swallow count, oral processing and swallowing time (OPST), and first OPST (1st-OPST). Statistical analyses were conducted to assess gender- and age-related changes and differences. Results: The NWES enabled objective and precise TOMASS measurements. Age-related prolongation of OPST and 1st-OPST was observed, particularly in men (p < 0.001). Women exhibited fewer age-related changes in OPST, although swallow count tended to decrease with age (p < 0.001). Regarding gender differences, younger women demonstrated higher bite (2.3 [interquartile range (IQR): 1.0–3.0] vs. 1 [IQR: 1.0–2.0], p = 0.042) and swallow counts (2.5 [IQR: 2.0–2.5] vs. 2 [IQR: 1.0–2.0], p = 0.026) compared with men. Conclusion: The NWES appeared suitable as an objective, efficient tool for automated TOMASS evaluation. Age-related changes in masticatory and swallowing performance differed according to gender, highlighting the need for tailored assessments. Future research on NWES-based TOMASS measurements should include diverse populations and extension to dysphagia and masticatory dysfunction.

Place, publisher, year, edition, pages
John Wiley and Sons Inc , 2025.
Keywords [en]
eating, mastication, neck-worn electric stethoscope, screening, swallowing
National Category
Odontology
Identifiers
URN: urn:nbn:se:ri:diva-79213DOI: 10.1111/joor.70030Scopus ID: 2-s2.0-105012262363OAI: oai:DiVA.org:ri-79213DiVA, id: diva2:2016446
Note

Article; Granskad

Available from: 2025-11-25 Created: 2025-11-25 Last updated: 2025-11-25Bibliographically approved

Open Access in DiVA

No full text in DiVA

Other links

Publisher's full textScopus

Authority records

Eckardt, JohannaStading, Mats

Search in DiVA

By author/editor
Eckardt, JohannaStading, Mats
By organisation
Food Research and Innovation
In the same journal
Journal of Oral Rehabilitation
Odontology

Search outside of DiVA

GoogleGoogle Scholar

doi
urn-nbn

Altmetric score

doi
urn-nbn
Total: 36 hits
CiteExportLink to record
Permanent link

Direct link
Cite
Citation style
  • apa
  • ieee
  • modern-language-association-8th-edition
  • vancouver
  • Other style
More styles
Language
  • de-DE
  • en-GB
  • en-US
  • fi-FI
  • nn-NO
  • nn-NB
  • sv-SE
  • Other locale
More languages
Output format
  • html
  • text
  • asciidoc
  • rtf