Speech-language-hearing interventions in orofacial functions in individuals with Down syndrome: a scoping review

To map the syntheses of evidence in the literature on speech-language-hearing interventions in orofacial functions and their effects on people with trisomy 21 (T21).

A search was conducted in EMBASE, LILACS, PubMed/Medline, Scopus, Web of Science, Cochrane, and ASHA databases, also consulting grey literature.

The review included studies with people with T21, addressing therapies related to orofacial functions, and excluded those with other populations, studies whose intervention of interest was characterized as non-speech-language-hearing therapy or were not aimed at orofacial functions, and descriptive studies.

Data were synthesized and described narratively, illustrated with a table and a flowchart.

The review included 10 studies, which involved all functions, with swallowing being the most recurrent. They were published between 2009 and 2024 and originated from various countries. Participants were of both sexes, aged 2 to 25 years. Parameters such as the number and frequency of sessions and the duration of treatment varied. The types of exercises and interventions and the evaluation methods were individualized for each study. Five studies were clinical trials and performed quantitative evaluations to verify the effectiveness of the interventions.

The literature showed that speech-language-hearing intervention in orofacial functions in individuals with Down syndrome promotes gains and modifications in structural and functional aspects.