The effects of masticatory exercise using a gum on the cognitive function and stress

Masticatory function affects energy expenditure, heart rate, working memory, choice reaction time and psychological arousal. In other words, masticatory function is closely related to cognitive process ability. And it also influences concentration enhancement and stress alleviation. The purpose of this study was to determine whether an masticatory exercise training using a gum can improve cognitive function and stress. The participants were recruited from Sahmyook University and were divided into a masticatory exercise group (n=15) and a control group (n=15) by having each of the subjects take out one card from a box containing two types of cards representing both the study groups. This study used chewing gum as sugar free with xylitol for masticatory exercise. Cognitive function and stress were assessed before and after the masticatory exercise. Number memorizing, Pictures finding by Name and Three consecutive card play in COMCOG® test was measured to determine cognitive function which is closely linked to memory, attention and concentration. SA3000P® system was performed to against stress. Cognitive functional of Numbers Memorizing (NM), Picture Finding by Name(PFN), and Three Consecutive Card Play(TCCP), and against stress of stress resistance(SR) and stress index(SI) score were assessed before and after the training. A significant intergroup difference was observed in the MN, FPN, MC, SR, and SI score (p < 0.05). Base on the result, These findings suggest that exercise of the masticatory using a gum had a positive effect on the cognitive function and stress.