Orofacial myofunctional evaluation in individuals with neurofibromatosis type 1

PURPOSE:

to describe and characterize alterations in orofacial function in individuals with neurofibromatosis type 1 and to correlate these changes with the clinical manifestations of neurofibromatosis type 1 and muscular strength.

METHODS:

the study included 24 individuals with neurofibromatosis type 1, 12 men and 12 women, aged 14-50 years, matched by sex and age with volunteers not affected by the disease. All subjects were evaluated for maximal handgrip force and, using the MBGR protocol, for orofacial motricity.

RESULTS:

individuals with neurofibromatosis type 1 had a higher prevalence of abnormal phono-articulatory patterns and significant differences (p < 0.05) relative to controls in body posture, speech organs, mobility, muscle tone, pain on palpation, and stomatognathic functions. Moreover, MBGR test score totals showed significant (p < 0.05) Spearman's correlation coefficients with maximal handgrip force.

CONCLUSION:

patients with neurofibromatosis type 1 had a relatively high prevalence of phono-articulatory changes and significant impacts on the functions of breathing, chewing, swallowing, and speaking. These alterations were correlated with a disease-related reduction of systemic muscular strength.

Neurofibromatosis 1; Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences; Myofunctional Therapy; Muscle Strength