ABSTRACT
Objective:To explore any effect of orofacial myofunction therapy (OMT) on the swallowing and speech of children with Pierre-Robin malformation (PRS) after a corrective operation.Methods:Fifty-two children with dysphagia caused by PRS mandibular distraction osteogenesis were randomly divided into an observation group and a control group, each of 26. All were given routine nutrition support, but the observation group was additionally provided with OMT. Swallowing disorders, nutritional risk and body mass index were compared between the two groups after 6 months of the intervention. Orofacial muscle functioning and speech and language disorders were also compared between the two groups at the age of 3.Results:After the 6-month intervention the average Ichiro Fujishima dysphagia score in the observation group had improved significantly compared with before treatment and with the control group. The observation group′s nutritional status was also significantly better. At age three the orofacial myofunction classification of the observation group remained significantly better, on average, than that in the control group, and dysarthria or language retardation was significantly less prevalent.Conclusion:OMT can significantly improve the swallowing function, speech and nutritional status of children after surgery to correct PRS. This therapy is worthy of promotion and clinical application.
ABSTRACT
Objective:To explore the understanding among medical rehabilitation staff about pain in children with cerebral palsy.Methods:A questionnaire was developed by referring to the literature on children′s rehabilitation and pain. It was used to survey 856 rehabilitation personnel including 110 doctors, 313 therapists and 433 nurses from 12 hospitals in 10 provinces using an online platform at www.wjx.cn.Results:The overall rate of correct responses was (67.89±13.35) %. Doctors and therapists scored about 70% correct and nurses about 65%. There were significant differences in pain knowledge related with educational background, age, work experience and position. Gender, professional title and parent status were not significant predictors. About 93% of those surveyed thought it was necessary to provide pain-related training, and 95% were willing to receive such training.Conclusions:There is a lack of knowledge about pain in children with cerebral palsy among rehabilitation medical staff. It is urgent to provide more related training and guidance to those in clinical practice.