Effects of Smartphone-Based Oral Muscle Strengthening Training on Mental Health in Older Adults

INTERVENTION: Behavioral : This study consists of two groups: an intervention group and a control group. The intervention group will receive smartphone app–based oral muscle strengthening training, whereas the control group will not receive any intervention. Participants in the intervention group will undergo oral muscle strengthening training twice a week for 6 weeks, for a total of 12 sessions. Each session will last approximately 60 minutes. The intervention will be conducted at the participants’ affiliated institutions using oral exercise content provided through a smartphone application. Before the intervention begins, the researcher will assist participants in installing the application on their smartphones and provide instructions on how to use the application and perform each exercise. Training and guidance will continue until participants are able to use the application independently. The smartphone app–based oral muscle strengthening training program consists of pronunciation training, tongue exercise games, pre‐meal exercises, lip exercises, oral exercises, gum massage, salivary gland massage, and tongue exercises. Participants will perform repetitive movements of the oral muscles, tongue, and lips while following video‐guided and game‐based content provided through the application. The program is designed to promote oral muscle activity and improve oral functions related to chewing, swallowing, and pronunciation. During the intervention period, the researcher will monitor and guide participants to ensure correct use of the application and proper performance of the exercises. The control group will not receive any oral exercise intervention, including the smartphone app–based oral muscle strengthening training, during the study period. However, participants in the control CONDITION: Factors influencing health status and contact with health services PRIMARY OUTCOME: Cognitive function (MMSE‐K) Depression ‐ Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES‐D) EEG assessments General mental health ‐ Korean General Health Questionnaire (KGHQ) Sleep health ‐ Korean version of the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI‐K) and Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS) SECONDARY OUTCOME: Social support ‐ Medical Outcomes Study Social Support Survey (MOSSSS) Subjective happiness INCLUSION CRITERIA: Individuals who understood the purpose and procedures of the study and voluntarily agreed to participate Community‐dwelling older adults using senior welfare facilities Individuals capable of participating in the smartphone app–based training program Individuals able to communicate and participate in questionnaires and assessments