Saccomanno S, Quinzi V, Santori F, Pisaneschi A, Salvati SE, Paskay LC, Marci MC, Marzo G. Use of Edibles as Effective Tools in Myofunctional Therapy: A Pilot Study.
Diagnostics (Basel) 2024;
14:251. [PMID:
38337767 PMCID:
PMC10855079 DOI:
10.3390/diagnostics14030251]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/24/2023] [Revised: 01/06/2024] [Accepted: 01/20/2024] [Indexed: 02/12/2024] Open
Abstract
AIM
The aim of this retrospective study is to explore the introduction of edible spread cream and small candies as tools to improve motivation and compliance in young children undergoing myofunctional therapy, with the purpose of optimizing oral functions, including swallowing.
METHODS
Six patients, one female and five males, between the ages of 7 and 14 years, presenting with atypical swallowing, were evaluated and treated at the clinic of the University of L'Aquila. The patients included in the study were randomly divided into two groups and were treated with two different treatment protocols: Group A: traditional myofunctional therapy and traditional tools; Group B: same exercises as group A, but with edible tools (spreadable cream and small candies).
RESULTS
As expected, the two patients who used edible tools demonstrated increased motivation and collaboration during myofunctional therapy.
CONCLUSIONS
Patient compliance, especially in very young patients, limits the effectiveness of myofunctional therapy; therefore, creative solutions are needed to achieve greater cooperation, and edible tools can play a significant part in retraining correct swallowing. Although the sample of this pilot study is small, the results suggest that using actual edible tools in myofunctional therapy could increase compliance and provide better results in myofunctional therapy.
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