Orofacial and cervical myofunctional intervention programs for adults undergoing orthognathic surgery: a scoping reviewEstablishment of a new rehabilitation program using masticatory training food for jaw deformity patients.
Allya Francisca Marques Borges, Ramon Cipriano Pacheco de Araújo, Samara Fernandes da Silva Souza and 5 others
PMID 41337566WHAT IT FOUND
Five small Brazilian studies suggest that orofacial myofunctional therapy after orthognathic surgery improves breathing, chewing, swallowing, and speech.
The evidence is limited by tiny samples, varying protocols, and a lack of standardized assessment tools.
Key findings
01Five eligible studies, all conducted in Brazil with small sample sizes ranging from 10 to 15 participants, reported positive effects of orofacial myofunctional therapy on stomatognathic system functions.
02Interventions typically combined isometric, isotonic, postural, and functional exercises with tactile and thermal sensory stimulation, starting days to weeks after surgery.
03The review authors note a substantial gap in the literature, with no validated protocols for clinical orofacial myofunctional assessment in this specific patient population.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for SLPs
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What it does not show
The evidence base is very small, with only five studies included, all from Brazil. Sample sizes were tiny, ranging from 10 to 15 participants per group, limiting generalizability. There is no standardized or validated protocol for orofacial myofunctional assessment in this population. The studies used heterogeneous intervention programs and assessment methods, making direct comparison difficult. Most studies lacked long-term follow-up, so the sustained effects of the interventions are unknown.
Declared interests
The authors declare nothing to declare regarding financial support or conflicts of interest.
The easy way to misread this
Do not interpret the positive findings as proof of a specific, standardized OMT protocol. The included studies used varying exercise types and durations, and the sample sizes were too small to establish a definitive treatment guideline.
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