Chewing Gum as a Therapeutic Intervention for the Management of Hypersalivation

NCT07158359 | Not Yet Recruiting DMC

• 2 other identifiers: 2025-A00525-44IDRCB
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 46
• Locations: 0 countries
• Sites: N/A

Brief Summary

Psychiatric disorders often require specific treatments, usually involving medications called psychotropic drugs. While effective, these medications can cause significant side effects. One of the most common is hypersalivation (excess saliva), which can make swallowing difficult and be very uncomfortable in daily life. Current medication-based solutions are often not very effective and may cause additional side effects. For this reason, we are exploring a different approach: using chewing gum as a form of rehabilitation. The goal of this study is to determine whether chewing gum can help reduce excessive saliva. To do this, we will compare two groups: one that will follow a swallowing rehabilitation program including chewing gum, and another that will not. We hope this simple, non-drug-based approach will improve the management of hypersalivation. More broadly, this research aims to highlight innovative and accessible solutions in psychiatry, showing that alternative strategies-sometimes very simple ones-can also be effective.

Conditions

Hypersialorrhea (Excessive Salivation); Psychiatric Disorders

Keywords

Rehabilitation; occupational therapy; pilot study; chewing gum mastication; non-pharmacological treatment

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• Salivary flow measured using the Drooling Severity and Frequency Scale (DSFS) in relation to chewing gum mastication

  4 weeks

Secondary Outcomes (4)

• Quality of life, evaluated with the Clinical Global Impression (CGI), was assessed pre- and post-experimental phase

  4 weeks

• Patient adherence to medication will be assessed weekly by the healthcare team using a single dichotomous question: "Did the patient demonstrate opposition to taking their medication related to hypersalivation?"

  4 weeks

• Use of pharmacological agents associated with adverse effects will be monitored through prescription tracking.

  4 weeks

• Tolerance and safety of chewing gum as a therapeutic intervention will be evaluated by the investigative team at each session using two dichotomous questions: "Did you observe any tolerance or safety issues during chewing gum mastication in this session?

  4 weeks

Study Arms (2)

Experimental group assigned to a swallowing rehabilitation program involving chewing gum mastication

EXPERIMENTAL

Each participant will receive a rehabilitation session (including chewing gum mastication) three times per week over a four-week period. Each session will last 15 minutes (i.e., 10 minutes of mastication followed by a 5-minute waiting period prior to reassessment). The 10-minute mastication period was determined based on clinical feedback from patients regarding this practice. Rehabilitation sessions will always take place at least 30 minutes after meals. During each mastication session, the participant will be observed in a quiet room, with a comic book available for distraction. Hypersialorrhea will be assessed three times per session using the DSFS scale: immediately before chewing gum mastication, at the end of the mastication period, and 5 minutes thereafter. The rehabilitation program will run over four weeks, from Monday to Friday, corresponding to 12 non-consecutive days. The four-week duration was chosen in accordance with standard occupational therapy clinical practice. In

Behavioral: chewing gum mastication

Control group

NO INTERVENTION

For the control group, which will not receive any rehabilitation, the same schedule will be followed. Each participant will be seen three times per week for 15 minutes. During these observation sessions (no intervention, absence of any rehabilitation), hypersialorrhea will be assessed three times using the DSFS scale: immediately before, at the end of the 10-minute period, and 5 minutes thereafter. During these observation sessions, participants will be placed in a quiet room with a comic book available for distraction. The observation period will span four weeks, corresponding to 12 non-consecutive days. In parallel, the healthcare team will be asked to respond three times per week to a single adherence-related question during the scheduled sessions.

Interventions

chewing gum mastication BEHAVIORAL

chewing gum mastication

Experimental group assigned to a swallowing rehabilitation program involving chewing gum mastication

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years - 65 Years
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)

You may qualify if:

• Adults aged 18 to 65 years.
• Hospitalized at Cadillac Hospital, either in full inpatient care or at the rehabilitation facility, excluding the UHSA.
• Experiencing iatrogenic hypersalivation induced by psychotropic medications.
• Salivary flow causing functional impairment for the patient, or observed by family members or healthcare providers.
• With or without pharmacological management of hypersalivation.
• Individuals under legal protective measures may be included.
• Provided written informed consent prior to participation.

You may not qualify if:

• Anatomical/morphological anomaly affecting mastication/swallowing
• Swallowing disorder of organic etiology (e.g., neurological deficit due to stroke, neurodegenerative disease, oropharyngeal surgery, etc.)
• Known risk of aspiration with liquids
• Patient refusal of chewing gum or inability to obtain consent (e.g., non-communicative patients)
• Oral/dental condition preventing mastication

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Centre Hospitalier de Cadillac: lead

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Sialorrhea; Mental Disorders

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Salivary Gland Diseases; Mouth Diseases; Stomatognathic Diseases

Central Study Contacts

Alix AL Lavandier, PhD

CONTACT

+33556765148; alix.lavandier@ch-cadillac.fr

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: NONE
• Purpose: TREATMENT
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: SPONSOR

Model Details: This study falls within the field of Research Involving Human Participants. It is classified as Category 2: interventional research involving minimal risk. The study is designed as a prospective, longitudinal investigation.

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: August 28, 2025
• First Posted: September 5, 2025
• Study Start: September 1, 2025
• Primary Completion (Estimated): September 1, 2026
• Study Completion (Estimated): December 1, 2026
• Last Updated: September 5, 2025

Record last verified: 2025-08

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share