Orofacial myofunction therapy improves the swallowing and language use of children with Pierre-Robin malformation / 中华物理医学与康复杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective:To explore any effect of orofacial myofunction therapy (OMT) on the swallowing and speech of children with Pierre-Robin malformation (PRS) after a corrective operation.Methods:Fifty-two children with dysphagia caused by PRS mandibular distraction osteogenesis were randomly divided into an observation group and a control group, each of 26. All were given routine nutrition support, but the observation group was additionally provided with OMT. Swallowing disorders, nutritional risk and body mass index were compared between the two groups after 6 months of the intervention. Orofacial muscle functioning and speech and language disorders were also compared between the two groups at the age of 3.Results:After the 6-month intervention the average Ichiro Fujishima dysphagia score in the observation group had improved significantly compared with before treatment and with the control group. The observation group′s nutritional status was also significantly better. At age three the orofacial myofunction classification of the observation group remained significantly better, on average, than that in the control group, and dysarthria or language retardation was significantly less prevalent.Conclusion:OMT can significantly improve the swallowing function, speech and nutritional status of children after surgery to correct PRS. This therapy is worthy of promotion and clinical application.