Speech pathology in facial aesthetics: effects of two strategies for the suprahyoid muscles

Abstract

Purpose: to verify the effects of tongue pressure exercises against the incisive papilla, used both alone and in combination with functional swallowing training, on the electrical activity of the suprahyoid muscles and the self-perception of aesthetic changes in the submandibular region. Chi-square, Fisher’s exact, Mann-Whitney, Kruskal Wallis, and Wilcoxon tests were used. The significance level was set at 5%. Methods: an experimental, analytical, prospective study on 27 women, aged 30 to 78 years, divided into two treatment groups (G1 and G2), and a control group (CG). Individuals were submitted to 8 weeks of training, in which G1 performed only tongue pressure exercises against the incisive papilla, and G2 performed the same exercises in combination with swallowing training, while CG was not submitted to any intervention. The suprahyoid muscle electrical activity was obtained with surface electromyography at the beginning and end of the study when subjects also answered a self-perception questionnaire on possible aesthetic results. Pearson’s chi-square, Fisher’s exact, Mann-Whitney, Kruskal Wallis, and Wilcoxon tests were used. The significance level was set at 5%. Results: statistically significant differences were found between the initial and final electrical activity in both G1 and G2, which was not found in CG. There was no significant difference between the groups regarding their self-perception of visual or muscle improvements. Conclusion: both strategies analyzed were equally effective to increase suprahyoid muscle recruitment, though with no impact on the self-perception of aesthetic changes in the submandibular region.

Myofunctional Speech Therapy for Facial Rejuvenation and Orofacial Function Improvement: A Systematic Review

“…Furthermore, the search was conducted within the bibliography of the selected studies, allowing the inclusion of nine articles. Therefore, a total of 21 studies were included in the review [ 2 , 7 , 21 , 22 , 23 , 24 , 25 , 26 , 27 , 28 , 29 , 30 , 31 , 32 , 33 , 34 , 35 , 36 , 37 , 38 , 39 ]. The whole selection process in the different stages is detailed in a PRISMA flowchart ( Figure 1 ).…”

“…The experimental studies were designed differently, despite having a common goal, using a rigorous methodology. The studies with a higher level of scientific evidence are randomized controlled trials [ 7 , 35 , 39 ], in which subjects were randomly assigned to the experimental group, which received the treatment, or to the control group, which was not subjected to any type of therapy…”

“…There are also non-randomized controlled studies [ 32 , 33 ] in which the randomized assignment of participants to the two groups was not used; the studies [ 33 ] and [ 39 ] divided the subjects into two experimental groups and a control group.…”

“…Studies that integrated facial exercises and work on stomatognathic functions into the treatment protocol obtained good results in improving the aesthetics of the face [ 21 , 24 , 38 , 39 ]. The study of Ferreira et al (2022) [ 39 ] investigated, through two experimental groups, the effects of two therapeutic strategies on the electrical activity of the suprahyoid muscles and the self-perception of aesthetic changes in the submandibular region. Specifically, the difference between performing the single lingual pressure exercise on the retroincisal papilla and the combination of the latter with functional swallowing training was studied.…”

“…In particular, tools capable of providing data and objective measurements have been applied, such as oral devices capable of quantitatively measuring labial and lingual strength and resistance [ 28 , 29 , 32 , 33 , 34 , 35 ]; the electromyograph [ 31 , 39 ]; the cutometer to evaluate elasticity as a mechanical property of the skin [ 28 , 31 ]; and muscle ultrasound scans and laser scans of the face [ 29 ]. These tools have often been combined with self-assessment and self-perception questionnaires [ 7 , 36 , 39 ], with the analysis of photographic documentation using validated quantitative VAS scales (e.g., MCFAP—Merz-Carruthers Facial Aging Photoscales; WSRS—Wrinkle Severity Rating Scale) [ 7 , 36 , 38 ]. The analysis of quality of life, the muscle improvement protocol in speech therapy for facial aesthetics (PAMFEF), the assessment of facial aesthetics, and photographic documentation were used as outcome measures in the socio-demographic questionnaire.…”