Effect of Impairment-Oriented and Function-Oriented Exercises on Mouth Function in Subjects with Systemic Sclerosis

Purpose: The aim of this study was to develop an exercise protocol to improve maximal mouth opening (MMO), tongue protrusion (Tprot), tongue strength (Tstren), and lip strength (Lstren), and to assess its effects on subjects with scleroderma. Methods: We performed four replicated single-system studies in a consecutive sample of subjects with scleroderma. An instrumented assessment measured MMO, Tprot, Tstren, and Lstren. Each day, subjects were assessed and performed orofacial exercises conducted by speech therapists. Treatments were first aimed at improving mouth physical characteristics by impairment-oriented exercises and then to improve skills with function-oriented exercises. Results: The mean phase differences between assessment and treatment phases across subjects were from 0.88 to 9.56 mm in MMO, from 2.03 to 12.3 mm in Tprot, from –0.12 to 5.35 N in Tstren, and from –0.84 to 5.19 N in Lstren. After treatment, 3 subjects crossed the 5th percentile discriminating normal from abnormal performances for both Tstren and Tprot, while this occurred in 2 subjects for MMO and Lstren. Conclusions: The results of this study suggest that rehabilitation appears to be useful in reducing tongue and lip impairments and in improving oral functions in subjects with scleroderma.