Outcomes of an oral motor and swallowing rehabilitation program in patients with congenital myopathies.

Abstract

Purpose: To identify factors related to swallowing and oral motor skills in patients with congenital myopathies and evaluate the outcomes of an oral motor and swallowing intervention for this population.

Methods: Participants of this study were twenty-six individuals with diagnosed myopathies or muscular dystrophy, referred to the Division of Speech-Language Pathology. Data collection occurred at three time points: pre-treatment, post-treatment, and three-month follow-up. Oral motor and swallowing assessments were performed using validated protocols. Participants completed a speech therapy program for oropharyngeal dysphagia, consisting of four weekly 30-minute sessions, with daily practice encouraged. Each session was supervised by a speech-language pathologist until independent practice was possible.

Results: The study found that patients with congenital myopathies had significant impairments in posture, mobility, oral functions, and feeding, especially in mastication and swallowing of solid foods. The therapy program resulted in substantial improvements at all evaluation points. Significant differences were observed between pre- and post-treatment, and between pre-treatment and the three-month follow-up, as measured by the ASHA NOMS scale. Oral motor skill assessments showed improved scores on all measures of the AMIOFE-E protocol, except mastication.

Conclusion: The rehabilitation program effectively improved oral motor and swallowing functions in patients with congenital myopathies, reducing the risk of pulmonary aspiration and related complications. The therapy program demonstrated to be highly effective for this patient group.