Effect of palatal plate therapy in children with Down syndrome - A 1-year study

The effect of palatal plate therapy on oral dysfunction in children with Down syndrome was studied during a 1-year period. Twenty-nine subjects with a mean age of 24 months were randomized to a test group or to a control group. The variables concerning orofacial muscle function-that is, 'closed mouth', 'tip of the tongue visible', 'open mouth', 'inactive protrusion of the tongue', and 'active protrusion of the tongue'-were monitored by video recordings. After 12 months of therapy the mean duration of the factor 'closed mouth' was significantly longer (p < 0.001) and 'inactive protrusion of the tongue' significantly shorter (p < 0.001) in the test group than in the control group. The results indicate that in children with Down syndrome, palatal plate therapy may be a valuable complement to a training program for improving orofacial muscle function.