Addition of Kinesio Taping of the orbicularis oris
muscles to speech therapy rapidly improves
drooling in children with neurological disorders
Denise Lica Yoshimura Mikami, Cristina Lemos Barbosa Furia & Alexis Fonseca Welker
Abstract
Background– To evaluate the effects of Kinesio Taping (KT) of the orbicularis oris muscles as an adjunct to standard therapy for drooling.
Methods/ Materials– Fifteen children with neurological disorders and drooling received speech therapy and twice-weekly KT of the orbicularis muscles over a 30-day period. Drooling was assessed by six parameters: impact on the life of the child and caregiver; severity of drooling; frequency of drooling; drooling volume (estimated by number of bibs used); salivary leak; and
interlab-ial gap. Seven markers of oral motor skills were also assessed.
Results– KT of the orbicularis oris region reduced the interlab-ial gap. All oral motor skills and almostall markers of drooling improved after 15 days of treatment.
Conclusion– In this sample of children with neurological disorders, adding KT of the orbicularis oris muscles to speech therapy caused rapid improvement in oral motor skills and drooling.
Keywords-Bandages, child, kinesiology, Sialorrhea, speech therapy, kinesio tape, tape with wisdom, kinesio live different science
