ABSTRACT

Objective : This purpose of this study is to investigate the effect of oral sensory treatment on the oral functionin dysphagic children with cerebral palsy. Methods : Eighteen children with cerebral palsy hospitalized in the department of rehabilitation at a universityhospital were chosen. They were diagnosed with cerebral palsy and received a total score of below 40points in an evaluation of the oral function while feeding. The study was a one-group pre-posttest designand showed a difference in oral function before and after the oral sensory treatment. The oral sensorytreatment included pressing with the fingers, and stimulating the cheek, chin, lips, tongue, and soft palate withan ice stick and electric toothbrush. The oral sensory treatment was conducted thirty minutes per day, twodays a week, for 8 weeks. Results : The results suggest that the oral sensory treatment had an effect in the improvement of the childrensoral function. In particular, ‘chin closing’, ‘closing the lips over a spoon’, and ‘tongue control’ showedsignificant improvement. In addition, after oral sensory treatment, the subjects showed an improvement intheir American Speech-Language-Hearing Association National Outcomes Measurements Systemswallowing scale (ASHA NOMS). Conclusion : Further studies into the co-relationship between the types of cerebral palsy and oral functionshould be conducted.