Comparative analysis of method effectiveness for relieving masticatory muscle hypertonicity in children with cerebral palsy

Abstract

Relevance. Relevance. Cerebral palsy is a persistent lesion of the nervous system. Though it is stable, the consequences of the lesion are progressing. Muscle hypertonicity is one of the principal complications which may progress. The spasticity of chewing muscles limits mouth opening, which prevents the children from practising good oral hygiene and results in multiple dental diseases. Such patients need dental care with a specific approach. The relief of masticatory muscle hypertonicity should be a priority. Nowadays, there is a large variety of methods for treating spasticity.The study aimed to comparatively analyse the effectiveness of methods for relieving masticatory muscle hypertonicity in children with cerebral palsy.Materials and methods. The patients formed two groups: the first group used kinesio taping to reduce spasticity, and the second group was prescribed adaptive chewing muscles exercises combined with the gnathic device. The study evaluated the clinical results using the developed screening diagnosis and functional results by electromyographic examination after 14 days and three months.Results. Both groups showed positive treatment routcomes. Children demonstrated significant improvement clinically and electromyographically. However, the short-term observation discovered a faster effect of kinesio taping, though the differences were not statistically significant. Adaptive chewing muscles exercises combined with the gnathic device are more effective in the long run, which statistical analysis of data reliably ref lects.Conclusion. The study reliably proved the need to include both kinesio taping and adaptive myofunctional exercises in the treatment to relieve muscle hypertonicity. There were no side effects or complications. Treatment planning requires an individual approach based on the clinical situation .