Anoetic Treatment of Atypical Swallowing in the Context of State Healthcare Policy

Abstract

Objective: This study aims to assess the efficacy of the Froggy Mouth myofunctional rehabilitation approach for atypical swallowing in juveniles with acquired maxillomandibular anomalies who exhibit oral and posture habits due to the influence of stressors. Justification of the need to introduce anoetic treatment of atypical swallowing into the health care system, identify key areas of state policy to ensure the availability, effectiveness and integration of these methods into medical practice.

Methods. The study population consists of 56 patients aged 15–17 years. Among them, 35 patients were diagnosed with atypical swallowing using the Fellus Patrick method. These 35 patients with acquired maxillomandibular anomalies were divided into two equal groups. The assessment includes the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory questionnaire, a survey of stressors and habits, clinical examination, determination of swallowing and breathing types, facial aesthetics analysis, cephalometry, and functional respiratory tests. Patients in Group I (16 individuals) received traditional orthodontic treatment. The patients in Group II (19 individuals) underwent treatment that was supplemented with myofunctional rehabilitation using the Froggy Mouth appliance for 15 minutes per day.

Results. A prevalence of high anxiety and stress-related strain has been found among the study population. Detrimental habits have been noted in over 96% of subjects, with a dominance of posture habits, including resting the head on the hand, sleeping with the head on the hand, and text neck. Over a third of patients suffer from impaired breathing, facial muscle dysfunction, and 62.5% have atypical swallowing. The Froggy Mouth, a myofunctional rehabilitation for patients with atypical swallowing or mouth breathing, was administered. After 10 weeks, no independent normalization of swallowing was observed in patients in Group I. The circular muscle of the mouth and the muscles of the chin area continued to participate in swallowing. Functional improvement was noted in 57.8% of patients aged 15–17 years after 10 weeks of rehabilitation. Four months after the start of orthodontic treatment, 89.47% of Group II patients had achieved normal swallowing function, a correct head position relative to the spine, and an accurate position of the second cervical vertebra (axis). In Group I, changes in tooth movement of the patients were observed during active treatment. However, clinical studies indicated the presence of atypical swallowing in all patients in this group. In 56.25% of Group І patients, no changes in posture were noted, which was confirmed by changes in the position of the axis.

Conclusions. The findings of this study underscore the effectiveness of Froggy Mouth myofunctional rehabilitation in addressing atypical swallowing among children aged 15–17 years and adolescents with maxillomandibular anomalies and stress-induced habits.