Clinical and surface electromyography evaluation pre and post orofacial myology therapy

Purpose: The objective of this study is to observe the efficacy of orofacial myofunctional therapy in children who breathe through their mouths “mouth breathers” using a clinical assessment and surface electromyography. Method: 30 nasal breath (control group) and 30 mouth breathers (study group) were evaluated initially, and the study group was re-evaluated after 12 sessions of orofacial myofunctional therapy. Assessments involved the MBGR protocol and surface electromyography. Results: The control group had significantly better scores on all nasal breathing tests compared to mouth breathers both before and after therapy. However, mouth breathers demonstrated statistically significant improvements over time with therapy. Conclusion: After twelve orofacial myology therapy sessions, the mouth breathers improved but not to normal levels. Inadequate muscular strength remained for the required tasks suggesting that additional therapeutic intervention is needed or that therapeutic success is inhibited by a vertical craniofacial growth pattern.