title: Methods for objectively assessing clinical masticatory performance: protocol for a systematic review.
abstract: Chewing and masticatory function constitutes one of the most important oral health factors that affect quality of life, especially in older individuals. Little consensus currently exists regarding ways to objectively assess clinical masticatory performance (in this context, performance refers an individual's objective ability to mix or comminute food bolus). That said, many methods were developed to assess masticatory performance. Consequently, systematic review of the literature would be of great value when it comes to identifying various methods for objectively assessing clinical masticatory performance and for evaluating these methods.
  
  
  
  This study protocol describes a systematic review that intends to (i) identify methods to objectively assess clinical masticatory performance and (ii) evaluate psychometric properties (such as validity and reliability) of the identified methods. A systematic literature search is required to do so in these sources: MEDLINE (Ovid), Embase (embase.com), Web of Science Core Collection (Thomson Reuters), Cochrane (Wiley), and Cinahl (Ebsco).
  
  
  
  studies in scientific, full-text articles; development articles; validation articles; studies of the general adult population, ages ≥18.
  
  
  
  topics and article types that cover interview methods and self-reported questionnaires; methods/instruments that measure subjective masticatory performance; qualitative studies and case studies; opinion and editorial pieces; animal studies; studies of humans with severe oral health complications.
  
  
  
  This systematic review will result in a comprehensive assessment of various methods designed to objectively measure clinical masticatory performance. This systematic review will rate these methods, assess their reliability and validity, and identify one or more methods that can be recommended for use in clinical and scientific environments. From what is currently known, no systematic evaluation of various methods for objectively assessing clinical masticatory performance has been published.
  
  
  
  PROSPERO CRD42016037700.
authors.affiliation: Dental Clinic of Medical Dental Care at Stockholms Sjukhem, Mariebergsgatan 22B, 112 19, Stockholm, Sweden. per.stjernfeldt-elgestad@ki.se.|Akademiskt Centrum för Äldretandvård, Academic Center for Geriatric Dentistry, Stockholm, Sweden. per.stjernfeldt-elgestad@ki.se.
authors.forename: Per
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Elgestad Stjernfeldt
authors.affiliation: Akademiskt Centrum för Äldretandvård, Academic Center for Geriatric Dentistry, Stockholm, Sweden.|Department of Dental Medicine, Division of Gerodontics, Karolinska Institute, Box 4064, 14104, Huddinge, Sweden.
authors.forename: Inger
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Wårdh
authors.affiliation: Department of Dental Medicine, Karolinska Institute, Box 4064, 14104, Huddinge, Sweden.
authors.forename: Mats
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Trulsson
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurobiology, Care Science and Society, Division of Clinical Geriatrics, Karolinska Institute, Blickagången 6/Hälsovägen 7, 14157, Huddinge, Sweden.
authors.forename: Gerd
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Faxén Irving
authors.affiliation: Akademiskt Centrum för Äldretandvård, Academic Center for Geriatric Dentistry, Stockholm, Sweden.|Department of Neurobiology, Care Science and Society, Division of Nursing, Karolinska Institute, Box 23300, 141 83, Huddinge, Sweden.|Department of Geriatric Medicine, Danderyd Hospital, SLSO, 182 87, Danderyd, Sweden.|Department of Nursing, Western Norway University of Applied Sciences, Haugesund, Norway.
authors.forename: Anne-Marie
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Boström
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D006801:Humans; D008409:Mastication / Q000502:physiology; D009909:Oral Health / Q000592:standards; D013284:Stomatognathic System / Q000503:physiopathology; D000078202:Systematic Reviews as Topic
keywords: Compromised dentition; Masticatory performance; Older adults; Reliability; Study protocol; Validity