Evaluation of a neuromotor ability of the tongue in patients at the developmental age using a stereognostic examination

Abstract

Normal development of physiological functions affects normal maturation of the whole stomatognathic system and articulation. A persistent infantile swallowing pattern is listed as one of factors responsible for malocclusions and speech problems. “Stereognosis” originates from neurology and indicates an ability to recognise objects only by touch. <b>Aim</b>. The aim of the paper was to compare a neuromotor ability of the tongue in patients with a persistent infantile swallowing pattern compared to patients with a mature swallowing pattern. Material and methods. The study included 620 patients aged between 4 and 13 years. All subjects were diagnosed for swallowing dysfunctions with a spatula for speech therapy and a visual assessment when they were swallowing saliva, and then divided into 3 groups: study group (children with malocclusions and tongue dysfunctions) – 290 patients; comparator group (children with malocclusions and without tongue dysfunctions) – 240 patients; control group (children without malocclusions or tongue dysfunctions) – 90 patients. Stereognostic tests were performed according to Koczorowski methods and included recognition of geometrical shapes of silicone moulders using one’s tongue and without vision. <b>Results</b>. A differential analysis was performed and the following factors were included: age, sex and malocclusion. There were statistically significant differences between individual groups namely the study and comparator groups, study and control groups, and between the comparator and control groups. Results obtained indicate that a tongue dysfunction is a factor impairing sensory and motor correlation in patients at the developmental age. <b>Conclusions</b>. Patients with malocclusions complicated by tongue dysfunctions have impaired stereognostic sensation in the oral cavity. Impaired oral perception in patients at the developmental age with an abnormal position and functions of the tongue requires interdisciplinary specialist orthodontic treatment and speech therapy. <b>(Osiewacz S, Strzecki A, Szczepańska J, Pawłowska E. Evaluation of a neuromotor ability of the tongue in patients at the developmental age using a stereognostic examination. Orthod Forum 2017; 13: 267-82).</b>