A practical mouthstick for early intervention with quadriparetic patients

Area of Science:

• Rehabilitation Engineering
• Assistive Technology
• Oral Rehabilitation

Background:

• Limited availability of user-friendly mouthsticks for individuals with quadriplegia.
• Need for practical and economical assistive devices in early rehabilitation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To design a single-arch mouthstick with a bite plate for quadriparetic patients.
• To create a practical, economical, and easily usable device for early rehabilitation.

Main Methods:

• Fabrication of a single-arch mouthpiece using self-curing acrylic.
• Adaptation of the mouthpiece to existing dentition for stability.

Main Results:

• The designed mouthstick provided a stable base due to good adaptation to dentition.
• The appliance was comfortable, required minimal training, and enabled independent patient use.
• Fabrication was simple, utilizing limited materials and resources.

Conclusions:

• The developed mouthstick is a practical and economical solution for quadriparetic patients.
• The device facilitates early rehabilitation and promotes patient independence.
• This design addresses the need for accessible assistive oral appliances.