title: Effectiveness of electric toothbrushing in patients with neuromuscular disability: A randomized observer-blind crossover trial.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the effectiveness of an electric toothbrush for oral care in patients with neuromuscular disability.
  
  
  METHODS
  In this randomized observer-blind crossover trial, 30 patients with neuromuscular disease performed either electric or manual toothbrushing each for 4 weeks. Plaque status (plaque control record), periodontal pocket depth, oral status (oral assessment guide), salivary bacterial count, and toothbrushing time were assessed after each period and compared between the two groups by Wilcoxon signed-rank test.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Twenty-eight patients completed the study, including 18 communicative patients. Periodontal pockets were significantly shallower and toothbrushing time was significantly shorter with electric toothbrush use than with manual toothbrush use. No significant differences in oral status and salivary bacterial counts were noted between the approaches, but plaque status significantly improved after electric toothbrushing in communicative patients.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Electric toothbrushing is beneficial for maintaining oral health in patients with neuromuscular disability and reducing the caregivers' oral care burden.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, National Hospital Organization Iou Hospital, Kanazawa, Japan.|Department of Neurology and Neurobiology of Aging, Kanazawa University Graduate School of Medical Science, Kanazawa, Japan.
authors.forename: Tokuhei
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Ikeda
authors.affiliation: Department of Dentistry, National Hospital Organization Iou Hospital, Kanazawa, Japan.|Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Kanazawa University Graduate School of Medical Science, Kanazawa, Japan.
authors.forename: Kunio
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Yoshizawa
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, National Hospital Organization Iou Hospital, Kanazawa, Japan.
authors.forename: Kazuya
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Takahashi
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, National Hospital Organization Iou Hospital, Kanazawa, Japan.
authors.forename: Chiho
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Ishida
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, National Hospital Organization Iou Hospital, Kanazawa, Japan.
authors.forename: Kiyonobu
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Komai
authors.affiliation: Department of Dentistry, National Hospital Organization Iou Hospital, Kanazawa, Japan.|Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Kanazawa University Graduate School of Medical Science, Kanazawa, Japan.
authors.forename: Kazuhiko
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Kobayashi
authors.affiliation: Department of Dentistry, National Hospital Organization Iou Hospital, Kanazawa, Japan.|Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Kanazawa University Graduate School of Medical Science, Kanazawa, Japan.
authors.forename: Shirou
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Sugiura
mesh_terms: D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D003774:Dental Plaque Index; D006233:Persons with Disabilities; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007564:Japan; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009468:Neuromuscular Diseases / Q000503:physiopathology*; D010512:Periodontal Index; D012463:Saliva / Q000382:microbiology; D013997:Time Factors; D014099:Toothbrushing / Q000295:instrumentation*
keywords: caregivers; neuromuscular diseases; oral health; oral hygiene; toothbrushing