Evidence-Based Systematic Review: Effects of Oral Sensory-Motor Treatment on Swallowing in Adults

Lazarus, C., Clark, H., et al. (2011).

Rockville (MD): American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, 1-42.

This evidence-based systematic review investigates the effects of oral sensory-motor treatment (e.g., oral motor exercises, sensory stimulation) on functional swallowing outcomes, swallowing physiology, pulmonary health, or drooling management in adults.

American Speech-Language-Hearing Association

From 1960 to September 2007

Published, peer-reviewed, English-language, original studies (not further specified)

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Authors conclude "support for the use of oral sensory-motor treatments is pending well-designed studies with appropriate experimental controls and statistical power" (p. 25). Limitations of current evidence included no blinding, hand-picked participants, and inadequate data on intervention or participants. Preliminary evidence is as follows:<ul> <li>Four efficacy studies suggested oral sensory-motor treatment (OSMT) may affect swallow physiology. Interventions included thermal-tactile stimulation, range of motion exercises, and a combined intervention (thermal-tactile stimulation, oral stimulation, oral massage, digital manipulation and cervical range of motion). </li> <li>One efficacy study suggested no significant differences in pneumonia rate between a group receiving OSMT and control. </li> <li>Two efficacy studies suggested OSMT may improve swallowing functional outcomes, with treatments including head lifts and thermal-tactile stimulation. One efficacy study found a small effect (<em>d</em>=0.49) of combined intervention (thermal-tactile stimulation, oral stimulation, oral massage, digital manipulation and cervical range of motion), but results were not statistically significant. </li> <li>No efficacy studies were found addressing OSMT for drooling/secretion management.</li></ul><p>Exploratory studies addressed a variety of techniques and outcomes, with varying results. Exploratory studies appeared promising for the effect of OSMT on swallowing physiology. </p>