Mobile Application-Based Support for Periodontal Treatment Improves Clinical, Cognitive, and Psychomotor Outcomes: A Randomized Controlled Trial Study

Abstract

This study aims to evaluate the clinical, cognitive, and psychomotor changes that emerged among patients with gingivitis and patients with periodontitis via mobile application assistance. Forty subjects were randomly and evenly distributed into test and control groups and were administered a professional mechanical plaque removal (PMPR) procedure. The clinical parameters examined were bleeding on probing (BoP), probing pocket depth (PPD), and the oral hygiene index (OHI-S). The test group was administered a mobile application intervention, namely PerioUICare, which provided users with continuous education and motivation and served as a daily dental hygiene reminder. The comparative results of the mean values of all parameters between the groups (inter-group) and within the groups (intra-group) after one- and three-month evaluations were analyzed. A one-month inter-group evaluation uncovered significant differences in the BoP, PPD, cognitive, and psychomotor scores of subjects with gingivitis and the BoP, OHI-S, cognitive, and psychomotor scores of subjects with periodontitis. A three-month inter-group evaluation revealed significant differences across all parameters except for PPD in subjects with periodontitis. The results of the intra-group comparison demonstrated statistically significant differences in all parameters in the test group but no significant differences in the cognitive and psychomotor scores of the control group. This study revealed that mobile application-based support for periodontal treatment can be considered effective.

Effect of mobile app-based oral hygiene instructions on clinical parameters, oral bacterial diversity, and composition of subgingival microbiota in periodontitis patients

“…This could be due to participants’ repetitive education and notifications regarding OHI, which motivated them to improve their oral hygiene practices and enhance treatment outcomes. This aligns with the previous study reporting that the mobile app (‘Perio UI Care’) is effective in improving patients’ cognitive and psychomotor factors related to oral hygiene practices [ 46 ]. Moreover, smartphones’ accessibility enables patients to easily obtain information anytime and anywhere, enhancing their convenience and autonomy [ 10 ].…”

“…Unlike the study by Hartono et al [ 46 ], which evaluated the use of the mobile app in periodontal disease patients (mainly gingivitis), the absence of significant differences in clinical parameters in the present study may be due to the irreversible nature of periodontal tissue destruction in periodontitis patients. In gingivitis, the inflammatory conditions are reversible, and patients can recover to a healthy condition after treatment and routine plaque control [ 24 , 51 , 52 ].…”

“…Furthermore, females have a higher prevalence of periodontitis than males [ 45 ] making them a significant demographic for this study. This approach aligns with previous research [ 46 ], as this study is a continuation of earlier studies.…”

Oral Health Education in Patients with Diabetes: A Systematic Review

“…Deficiencies in quality healthcare services, as well as health disparities in diabetes control and treatment, could be addressed by implementing telemedicine-based interventions, especially for remote patients. A review of the cost-effectiveness relationship of these services and their integration into national health systems is needed, with the aim of improving the epidemiological and clinical data of diabetes through the training of health personnel and community health workers [29].…”