Orofacial Myofunctional Assessment Research Articles

Orofacial dysfunction screening examinations in children with sleep-disordered breathing symptoms.

Orofacial myofunctional disorders (OMD) and sleep-disordered breathing (SDB) may present as comorbidities. Orofacial characteristics might serve as a clinical marker of SDB, allowing early identification and management of OMD and improving treatment outcomes for sleep disorders. The study aims to characterize OMD in children with SDB symptoms and to investigate possible relationships between the presence of various components of OMD and symptoms of SDB. A cross-sectional study of healthy children aged 6-8 from primary schools was conducted in central Vietnam in 2019. SDB symptoms were collected using the parental Pediatric Sleep Questionnaire, Snoring Severity Scale, Epworth Daytime Sleepiness Scale, and lip-taping nasal breathing assessment. Orofacial myofunctional evaluation included assessment of tongue mobility, as well as of lip and tongue strength using the Iowa Oral Performance Instrument, and of orofacial characteristics by the protocol of Orofacial Myofunctional Evaluation with Scores. Statistical analysis was used to investigate the relationship between OMD components and SDB symptoms. 487 healthy children were evaluated, of whom 46.2% were female. There were 7.6% of children at high risk of SDB. Children with habitual snoring (10.3%) had an increased incidence of restricted tongue mobility and decreased lip and tongue strength. Abnormal breathing patterns (22.4%) demonstrated lower posterior tongue mobility and lower muscle strength. Daytime sleepiness symptoms were associated with changes in muscle strength, facial appearance, and impaired orofacial function. Lower strengths of lip and tongue or improper nasal breathing were more likely to be present in children with reported sleep apnea (6.6%). Neurobehavioral symptoms of inattention and hyperactivity were linked to anomalous appearance/posture, increases in tongue mobility and oral strength. This study demonstrates a prevalence of orofacial myofunctional anomalies in children exhibiting SDB symptoms. Children with prominent SDB symptoms should be considered as candidates for further orofacial myofunctional assessment.

Towards a better diagnosis of mouth breathing: validity and reliability of a protocol for assessing the awake breathing pattern in preschool children.

The Awake Breathing Pattern Assessment (ABPA) is a prototypical clinical grid recently designed through an international consensus of Speech and Language Pathologists (SLPs) to categorize the awake and habitual breathing pattern during the orofacial myofunctional assessment. This cross-sectional study aims to explore the psychometric properties of the ABPA in a preschool population. 133 children from 2;11 to 6 years old were assessed with the ABPA. The percentage of time spent breathing through the mouth was objectively measured by a CO2 sensor and used as a baseline measurement. We first performed a multivariate Latent Profile Analysis based on the CO2 measurement and a parental questionnaire to define the number of categories that best characterize the breathing pattern. Subsequently, we assessed the intra- and inter-rater reliability, internal consistency criterion validity, construct validity and sensitivity and specificity. The awake breathing pattern can best be described by two groups: nasal and mouth breathing. The ABPA, initially designed in three groups, was adjusted accordingly. This final version showed excellent intra-rater and inter-rater reliability. There was a significant correlation between the ABPA and the CO2 measurement. The ABPA showed a fair sensitivity and a good specificity. The reference tool based on CO2 data was used in children for the first time and was found to be reliable. The ABPA is a suitable tool for SLPs to confirm the diagnosis of mouth breathing in preschool children if more sensitive screening tools, like parental questionnaires, are used beforehand.

Lip and tongue pressure and the functionality of oro-facial structures in healthy individuals.

With the ageing process changes in the musculature of oro-facial structures take place, consequently there is a reduction in the strength and mobility of the lips, tongue and cheeks. The aim of this study was to correlate oro-facial structures and chewing and swallowing functions among a group of senior citizens and young adults and check the influence of lip and tongue pressure of these functions. This is an observational, cross-sectional and analytical study. Thirty seniors with an average age of 67.13 years and 30 young adults with an average age of 22.03 years participated in the study. The Oro-facial Myofunctional Assessment Protocol with Scores for the Elderly and the Oro-facial Myofunctional Assessment Protocol with Expanded Scores were also used. The evaluation of the force of pressure of the lips and tip and dorsum of the tongue was carried out using the Biofeedback device Pró-Fono: Lip and Tongue Pressure. Young adults had a higher evaluation score for the aspect/posture of the face, cheeks, lips, mentalis muscle, tongue, mobility of lips, tongue, jaw and cheeks, chewing and swallowing functions, total time and chewing strokes, and tip pressure and dorsum of tongue. According to the Structural Equation Modelling, a direct relationship was found between the tongue dorsum pressure force and the swallowing function. With healthy ageing changes occurring in the appearance, posture and mobility of the lips, tongue, jaw and cheeks, with the seniors and reduced performance of chewing and swallowing functions.

Agreement between telerehabilitation and face-to-face orofacial myofunctional assessment in persons with acquired brain injury

ABSTRACT Background and objective Orofacial myofunctional disorders are common in persons with acquired brain injury. A new way for early detection of orofacial myofunctional disorders via information and communication technologies may improve accessibility. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the level of agreement between face-to-face and tele-assessment of an orofacial myofunctional protocol in a sample of persons with acquired brain injury. Methods A masked comparative evaluation was conducted in a local association of patients with acquired brain injury. Twenty-three participants (39.1% female, mean age of 54 years) with a diagnosis of acquired brain injury were included in the study. The patients followed a face-to-face and a real-time online assessment using the Orofacial Myofunctional Evaluation with Scores protocol. This is a protocol for evaluation with numerical scales that assess the physical characteristics and the main orofacial functions of patients including appearance, posture, and mobility of lips, tongue, cheeks, and jaws, respiration, mastication, and deglutition. Results The analysis showed excellent interrater reliability (ρ ≥ 0.85) for all the categories. In addition, most confidence intervals were narrow. Conclusions This study reveals excellent interrater reliability of an orofacial myofunctional tele-assessment in patients with acquired brain injury in comparison with a traditional face-to-face evaluation.

A self-reported cross-sectional study on the oral function and the quality of life in children with stunted growth.

Failure to catch up with growth in toddlerhood will stunt elementary school children, which continues to cognitive decline and oral motor coordination. Verbal motor skills play an essential role in the oral function of the stomatognathic system, which includes mastication, swallowing, and speech. Therefore, early attention to oral function disorders of the stomatognathic system can avoid complications in children's nutritional status and quality of life. The objective of this study was to analyze the correlation of oral function of the stomatognathic system with Oral Health-Related Quality of Life (OHRQoL) in stunting children. This cross-sectional study correlates with 58 children aged 7-12 years with a history of stunting in toddlerhood from the Pasir Jambu District, Bandung Regency. The oral function of the stomatognathic system was evaluated by Adapted Orofacial Myofunctional Assessment Protocol and OHRQoL with Child Oral Health Impact Profile Short Form (COHIP-SF 19). The results were statistically analyzed using Spearman's rank correlation and Kendall's coefficient of concordance correlation tests. The results showed that the research subjects had a significant relationship in each variable and the three variables of the oral function of the stomatognathic system (chewing, swallowing, and speech) with OHRQoL with a p-value <0.05. The study concluded that the oral function of the stomatognathic system (chewing, swallowing, and speech) is related to OHRQoL in children with stunted growth.

Orofacial dysfunction screening examinations in children with sleep-disordered breathing symptoms

Orofacial myofunctional disorders (OMD) and sleep-disordered breathing (SDB) may present as comorbidities. Orofacial characteristics might serve as a clinical marker of SDB, allowing early identification and management of OMD and improving treatment outcomes for sleep disorders. The study aims to characterize OMD in children with SDB symptoms and to investigate possible relationships between the presence of various components of OMD and symptoms of SDB. A cross-sectional study of healthy children aged 6–8 from primary schools was conducted in central Vietnam in 2019. SDB symptoms were collected using the parental Pediatric Sleep Questionnaire, Snoring Severity Scale, Epworth Daytime Sleepiness Scale, and lip-taping nasal breathing assessment. Orofacial myofunctional evaluation included assessment of tongue mobility, as well as of lip and tongue strength using the Iowa Oral Performance Instrument, and of orofacial characteristics by the protocol of Orofacial Myofunctional Evaluation with Scores. Statistical analysis was used to investigate the relationship between OMD components and SDB symptoms. 487 healthy children were evaluated, of whom 46.2% were female. There were 7.6% of children at high risk of SDB. Children with habitual snoring (10.3%) had an increased incidence of restricted tongue mobility and decreased lip and tongue strength. Abnormal breathing patterns (22.4%) demonstrated lower posterior tongue mobility and lower muscle strength. Daytime sleepiness symptoms were associated with changes in muscle strength, facial appearance, and impaired orofacial function. Lower strengths of lip and tongue or improper nasal breathing were more likely to be present in children with reported sleep apnea (6.6%). Neurobehavioral symptoms of inattention and hyperactivity were linked to anomalous appearance/posture, increases in tongue mobility and oral strength. This study demonstrates a prevalence of orofacial myofunctional anomalies in children exhibiting SDB symptoms. Children with prominent SDB symptoms should be considered as candidates for further orofacial myofunctional assessment.

Orofacial myofunctional assessment and quality of life of individuals with Parkinson's disease.

To characterize orofacial myofunctional structures of elders with Parkinson's disease (PD) and examine the relationship with the stages of PD, pharmacotherapy, and quality of life. PD Group with 45 elders and a control group (CG) of 10 healthy elders of both sexes were included (60-86 years). Structured interviews, medical records, and clinical examination gathered information on health aspects such as the use of drugs, Hoehn & Yahr stages 1-4, and oral health status. The Mini-Mental State Examination, Parkinson's Disease Questionnaire, and Orofacial Myofunctional Evaluation with Scores for Elders were applied. Better oral health status was found in participants diagnosed as Hoehn & Yahr stage 1 compared to the later stages. OMES-Elders scores for appearance/posture, mobility, breathing, and speech functions were different between groups, and decreased overall OMES-Elders was observed across the Hoehn & Yahr stages. A higher number of masticatory cycles was required for chewing and ingestion of the test food in the PD group compared to CG (p<.05). Significant differences were found in the mobility and daily living activities domains and an overall score of QoL between the Hoehn & Yahr stages 1 and 4, and worst orofacial functioning was accompanied by the worst self-perception of QoL in the communication domain (rho=-0.32; p=.034). The use of xerogenic drugs did not affect the OMES-Elders swallowing domain. Worse dental condition and performance of orofacial functions was observed in the elders with PD as the disease progresses, and poorer orofacial performance negatively affects their perception of communication skills.

Association between nasal patency and orofacial myofunctional changes in patients with asthma and rhinitis.

To verify the association between orofacial myofunctional changes and nasal patency. Observational study of 43 children and adolescents with asthma and/or rhinitis, aged between 5 and 14years, from May 2017 to September 2019. Patients underwent peak nasal inspiratory flow (PNIF) for nasal patency assessment and orofacial myofunctional assessment. Clinical data were obtained from an interview on the day of the patients' medical evaluation. The relationship between orofacial myofunctional changes and PNIF was analyzed using a logistic regression model. Estimates were reported as odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (95%CI). We evaluated multicollinearity using the variance inflation factor and analyzed the adjusted fit with the Akaike information criterion and McFadden's R2 metric; p value < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Inadequate positioning of the mandible (OR = 11.22; 95%CI 1.83-69; p = 0.009) and the presence of tension in the facial muscles during the swallowing of liquid (OR = 4.61; 95%CI 1.31-16.20; p = 0.017) were associated with altered PNIF in children and adolescents with asthma and rhinitis. Children and adolescents with asthma and rhinitis along with reduced nasal patency presented orofacial myofunctional changes, such as inadequate positioning of the jaw and the presence of tension in the facial muscles during swallowing of liquid.

Oro-facial motor assessment: validation of the MBLF protocol in facial palsy.

Oro-facial myofunctional praxis assesses the muscular coordination and the degree of motor impairment of the lingual, mandibular and facial muscles necessary for articulation, mimicry and swallowing. The objective of this study was to create and validate the MBLF protocol, a French oro-facial myofunctional assessment in order to quantify patient's impairment and to specify the motor and functional deficit for an adapted management. The MBLF was validated against the Sunnybrook Facial Grading System (criterion validity). The construct validity was tested by comparing healthy subjects (n = 102) from patients with facial palsy (n = 60). Internal and external consistency of face symmetry were reported. Normative data was provided. There was a statistically significant correlation between the MBLF protocol and the Sunnybrook Facial Grading System [F(59) = 310.51, p < 0.001, R2 = 0.843]. Significant differences were observed in Student's t test between healthy volunteers and patients with facial palsy [t(74.13) = 14,704, p < 0.001, r = 0.863]. A significant effect of the severity grades of facial palsy on the MBLF_TOTAL scores was found [F(158) = 268.469, p < 0.001]. The more severe the facial palsy, the lower the motor scores were. This MBLF French validation provides a baseline for comparing and quantifying the performance of subjects. The MBLF protocol is valid for assessing facial symmetry in peripheral facial palsy. A prospective study is needed to validate its role in dynamic evaluation of facial palsy.

Validation of the MBGR orofacial myofunctional assessment protocol for adults with temporomandibular disorders with disc displacement with reduction.

This study aimed at validating the MBGR Orofacial Myofunctional Assessment Protocol (MBGR Protocol) for adults with Temporal Mandibular Disorders (TMD). The study sample was composed of 30 adults: 15 with TMD (disc displacement with reduction according to the Research Diagnostic Criteria for Temporomandibular Disorders) and 15 control individuals. The validation process encompassed the content, criterion, and construct of the protocol, as well as its inter- and intra-rater agreement levels and sensitivity and specificity values, considering a 5% statistical significance level. The following validities were confirmed: of content, as the MBGR Protocol covers all functional issues present in patients with TMD; of criterion, with significant correlations between the MBGR and Orofacial Myofunctional Evaluation with Scores (OMES) protocols; of construct, differentiating individuals with and without Orofacial Myofunctional Disorders (OMD) as for pain on palpation and mandible range of motion, with significant correlation between the MBGR clinical evaluation and that using a digital algometer, as well as confirmation of the instrumental assessment for the breathing mode classification. Agreement ranged from poor to very good and from reasonable to very good for the inter- and intra-rater power analyses, respectively. High sensitivity and specificity values were observed. The MBGR Protocol proved to be valid for use in adults presented with TMD with disc displacement with reduction and controls, covering all aspects that enable the analysis of OMD in these individuals.

Extension and validation of the protocol of orofacial myofunctional assessment for individuals with cleft lip and palate.

To perform the expansion, validation of the content, criterion and construct of an orofacial myofunctional assessment protocol for individuals with cleft lip and palate; and to define evaluation parameters for the instrument use. The expansion of the instrument was performed based on the MBGR protocol; the items, sub items and possibilities of answers of the amplified instrument were analyzed for their clarity by seven examiners for the content validation.. Assessment parameters were developed for the use of the instrument in order to minimize the subjectivity. Four examiners compared the aspects of the protocol to those of another instrument for the criterion validation, and the construct validation was performed comparing the results of pre and post orthognathic surgery treatment. The Content Validation Index and the Kappa, Spearman and Wilcoxon Correlation tests were applied for the validations. The mobility, tonicity and sensitivity aspects of the evaluation were added to the protocol and at content validation, 72% of the items were classified as very clear and 28% as clear. A manual with assessment parameters for all items and sub items of the protocol was constructed. The inter-examiner agreement was moderate. In the comparison of the protocols, for the validation of the criterion, a good relation among them was observed. For the validation of the construct the protocol was able to identify outcome after the treatment. The protocol was expanded and considered validated in its entirety: content, criterion and construct, and evaluation parameters for its use were established.

Correlation between scar assessment scales and orofacial myofunctional disorders in patients with head and neck burns.

Verify the correlation between two scar assessment scales and the presence of orofacial myofunctional disorders (OMD) in patients with head and neck (H&N) burns. Participants of this study were 16 adult individuals with H&N full-thickness burns. Data were collected through assessment of mandibular range of movement and application of the following instruments: Patient and Observer Scar Assessment Scale (POSAS), Vancouver Scar Scale, and Orofacial Myofunctional Evaluation with Scores (OMES). Results showed moderate negative correlation between the variables deglutition, breathing, total score of the functions, total score on the OMES and scores on the scar assessment scales, indicating that the higher (more severe) the scores on these scales, the lower the scores on the items of the OMES (indicative of greater OMD severity). No correlations were observed between the items of the OMES and the POSAS Patient scale. Results suggest that there is correlation between scar severity in burn patients, measured through clinical scales, and presence of OMD. Patients who present scores indicative of H&N pathological scars should be immediately referred to orofacial myofunctional assessment.

Proposal and content validation of an orofacial myofunctional assessment protocol for individuals with cleft lip and palate.

To create and validate the content of an orofacial myofunctional assessment protocol for individuals with cleft lip and palate. The first version of an orofacial myofunctional assessment protocol for individuals with cleft lip and palate was created by two speech-language pathologists, who contemplated the structural and functional aspects of the stomatognathic system. This version was analyzed by other two speech-language pathologists experienced in cleft lip and palate assessment, who suggested changes that led to the second version of the protocol. Dynamic and static images necessary for performing the orofacial myofunctional examination were recorded from three individuals with cleft lip and palate, who represented three life stages: childhood, adolescence, and adulthood. Five examiners evaluated the images, applied the proposed protocol, and judged each item regarding its clarity to validate the content, from Content Validity Index. The assessment protocol was finalized with 13 items, ten related to structural aspects and three related to functional aspects, with their corresponding sub-items. The general agreement in the validation of its content was 100%, so that only one stage was required. A protocol to evaluate the orofacial myofunctional aspects of individuals with cleft lip and palate was created with 13 items, as well as their corresponding sub-items, and its content was validated.

A one-page orofacial myofunctional assessment form: a proposal

The author presents her own proposal of a one-page orofacial myofunctional assessment and for each item on the list a brief rationale is provided. The protocol is an easy but comprehensive form that can be faxed or emailed to referral sources as needed. As science provides more objective assessment and evaluation tools, this one-page form can be easily modified.

Características miofuncionais de obesos respiradores orais e nasais

OBJETIVO: Investigar as características miofuncionais de obesos respiradores orais e nasais. MÉTODOS: Foram selecionados por conveniência 24 obesos, com idades entre 8 e 15 anos, pertencentes ao Grupo de Obesidade do Ambulatório de Pediatria de um Hospital Universitário. As características miofuncionais foram avaliadas por meio do protocolo de Avaliação Miofuncional Orofacial com Escalas (AMIOFE). RESULTADOS: Foi observada respiração oral em 62,5%, e respiração nasal em 37,5% da população estudada. No grupo de respiradores orais, 40% apresentaram oclusão com tensão dos lábios e 80% palato com largura diminuída, enquanto que quase todos os respiradores nasais tinham palato e lábios com postura normal. Interposição da língua nos arcos dentários ocorreu em 47% dos respiradores orais e em nenhum dos respiradores nasais. Os respiradores orais mostraram tendência em não repetir a deglutição de um mesmo bolo alimentar. A aparência da face, condição postural da mandíbula, bochechas e função de mastigação foram semelhantes nos dois grupos. CONCLUSÃO: A respiração oral em crianças e adolescentes obesos foi acompanhada de alterações miofuncionais do sistema estomatognático, representadas por diminuição da largura do palato, interposição da língua aos arcos dentários, oclusão dos lábios com tensão e alteração da deglutição.

Relação entre o tempo e o tipo de amamentação e as funções do sistema estomatognático

OBJETIVO: investigar a relação do tempo e tipo de aleitamento com as funções de mastigação, deglutição e respiração. MÉTODO: a amostra foi constituída por 52 crianças de ambos os sexos, na faixa etária de 5 a 8 anos. Utilizando-se de questionário, foram coletados dados referentes ao tipo e tempo de amamentação e respiração das crianças. As mesmas foram submetidas à avaliação clínica das funções, a qual baseou-se no Protocolo de Avaliação Miofuncional Orofacial com Escores Expandido (AMIOFE- E). Os dados foram analisados de forma descritiva e estatística. Para testar a normalidade da variável quantitativa, utilizou-se o teste Lilliefors. Todas as relações entre variáveis foram realizadas por meio do teste Qui-quadrado, considerando nível de significância de 5%. RESULTADOS: não houve relação estatisticamente significante entre o tempo e o tipo de aleitamento e as variáveis respiração e deglutição. Encontrou-se significância estatística entre tipo de aleitamento e a mastigação, mas não entre o tempo de aleitamento e esta variável. Além disso, a relação significante não seguiu padrão esperado. CONCLUSÃO: foi possível concluir que, de um modo geral, não houve relação significante entre o tempo e o tipo de aleitamento com as funções estudadas, exceto pela significância entre o tipo de aleitamento e a mastigação. Provavelmente a falta de significância deva-se ao fato do desenvolvimento de todo o sistema estomatognático ter origem multifatorial. A significância estatística encontrada para a função de mastigação, visto que foi com padrão inesperado, pode ter ocorrido em virtude do restrito número de sujeitos em cada subgrupo.

Evaluation of oral functions of the stomatognathic system according to the levels of asthma severity

To compare the orofacial functions (chewing, swallowing and speech) in children with asthma and healthy children. A cross sectional study including 54 children of both genders with ages between 7 and 10 years was conducted. Twenty-seven of these subjects composed the experimental group, and were subdivided into two severity levels of asthma: Group I - mild intermittent and persistent asthma; Group II - persistent moderate to severe asthma. Twenty-seven healthy children were included in the control group (Group III). Speech-language pathology evaluation used the adapted Orofacial Myofunctional Assessment Protocol. Adaptation consisted in the exclusion of the structural part of the test, since this was not the aim of the study. The structural part was excluded because it was not the aim of this study. It was found alterations in oral functions, with significant differences between the three groups. These alterations showed no correlation with asthma severity, since the highest rate of alterations was found in Group I (mild asthma). Regardless of the severity level, children with asthma have altered patterns of chewing, swallowing and speech.

O impacto do tratamento fonoaudiológico no controle da asma e da rinite alérgica em crianças e adolescentes respiradores orais

OBJETIVO: Detectar o impacto do tratamento fonoaudiologico no controle da asma e da rinite alergica em criancas e adolescentes respiradores orais. METODOS: Trata-se de um estudo quase-experimental; foram randomizados 24 pacientes com asma, rinite alergica e respiracao oral, idade de 6 a 15 anos. Todos os pacientes usavam dipropionato beclometasona inalacao oral. No momento em que aceitaram participar da pesquisa, a inalacao oral foi substituida pela inalacao exclusivamente nasal na inspiracao e, apos 1 mes, associou-se ao tratamento fonoaudiologico em metade dos pacientes. Esses receberam 16 sessoes de tratamento fonoaudiologico em 8 semanas, alem do dipropionato de beclometasona inalacao exclusivamente nasal (grupo DBF). O grupo de comparacao recebeu somente dipropionato beclometasona inalacao exclusivamente nasal (grupo DBI). Os dois grupos foram avaliados em cinco tempos. Utilizou-se o escore clinico da rinite alergica, da asma, o protocolo de avaliacao miofuncional orofacial adaptado de Marchesan (2003), a observacao dos responsaveis, dados de espirometria, de pico de fluxo inspiratorio e de pico de fluxo expiratorio. RESULTADOS: Houve melhora significativa do grupo DBF: escores clinicos da asma no tempo 5 (p = 0,046); valores do pico de fluxo inspiratorio no tempo 4 (p = 0,030); pico de fluxo expiratorio no tempo 3 (p = 0,008); modo respiratorio e postura de labios (p = 0,000) a partir do tempo 3; observacao dos responsaveis, no tempo 2, tempo 4 e tempo 5 (p = 0,010; p = 0,027; p = 0,030). CONCLUSOES: O tratamento fonoaudiologico associado ao dipropionato beclometasona por inalacao exclusivamente nasal promoveu um controle clinico e funcional mais precoce e duradouro da asma, da rinite alergica e da respiracao oral entre os grupos estudados.

The impact of speech therapy on asthma and allergic rhinitis control in mouth breathing children and adolescents

To determine the impact of speech therapy on asthma and allergic rhinitis control in mouth breathing children and adolescents. This was a quasi-experimental randomized study of 24 mouth breathing patients with asthma and allergic rhinitis, aged from 6 to 15 years. All patients were taking beclomethasone diproprionate through oral inhalation at the start of the study. At enrollment on the study, oral inhalation was substituted with exclusively nasal inhalation and 1 month later half of the patients began speech therapy. They attended 16 speech therapy sessions in 8 weeks and continued taking beclomethasone dipropionate through exclusively nasal inhalation (BDT group). The comparison group received only beclomethasone diproprionate through exclusively nasal inhalation (BDI group). Both groups were assessed five times. Clinical scores were calculated for allergic rhinitis and asthma, an adapted version of the Marchesan orofacial myofunctional assessment protocol was applied, and parents/guardians' observations were recorded, in addition to spirometry measurements of peak inspiratory and peak expiratory flow. There were significant improvements in the BDT group: clinical asthma score at T5 (p = 0.046); peak inspiratory flow at T4 (p = 0.030); peak expiratory flow at T3 (p = 0.008); breathing mode and lip position (p = 0.000) from T3 onwards; and parents/guardians' observations at T2, T4, and T5 (p = 0.010; p = 0.027; p = 0.030). Speech therapy in combination with beclomethasone diproprionate through exclusively nasal inhalation resulted in earlier and longer-lasting clinical and functional control of asthma, allergic rhinitis, and mouth breathing than was achieved in the group that only took beclomethasone diproprionate.