A subcortical approach to swallow pattern therapy

The neuromuscular facilitation technique was experimentally used with tongue-thrust patients in order to examine the results of application of this technique to such a population. Four boys and seven girls with a mean age of 116 months were referred by orthodontists in the greater Detroit area to Children's Hospital of Michigan. Each had previously been diagnosed as manifesting tongue thrust. Brushing, icing, and pressure were applied in a home training program for 6 months. Serial dental models were made at 0,3,6 and 12 months, the latter being used to detect regression 6 months after termination of the therapy regimen. Results are presented to support the contention that neuromuscular facilitation is a useful technique in swallow pattern therapy. Ancillary findings are presented which support the contention that mouth breathing and thumb and finger-sucking precede the onset of tongue thrust.