6533b850fe1ef96bd12a85fa

RESEARCH PRODUCT

Effects of a nonsurgical exercise program on the decreased mouth opening in patients with systemic scleroderma.

G.a. ScardinaGiuseppe PizzoPietro Messina

subject

AdultMalemedicine.medical_specialtymedicine.medical_treatmentDentistryFacial MusclesSystemic sclerodermaOral hygieneStatistics NonparametricEatingPatient satisfactionSettore MED/28 - Malattie OdontostomatologicheMicrostomiamedicineDentitionHumansSpeechIn patientAdverse effectGeneral DentistryAgedsystemic sclerosis nonsurgical exerciseMouthScleroderma SystemicDentitionDenture Completebusiness.industryMicrostomiaMiddle Agedmedicine.diseaseOral HygieneExercise TherapyPatient SatisfactionPhysical therapyFemaleDenturesMouth EdentulousbusinessFollow-Up Studies

description

The decreased mouth opening (microstomia) represents a frequent finding in patients with systemic scleroderma (SSD), but little information is available about the efficacy of nonsurgical management of this condition. The aim of this study is to assess the effects of a nonsurgical exercise program on the decreased mouth opening in a group of 10 SSD patients with severe microstomia (maximal mouth opening 0.1). At the end of the 18-week period, all patients commented that eating, speaking and oral hygiene measures were easier. The edentulous subjects also experienced less difficulty inserting their own dentures. These findings suggest that regular application of the proposed exercise program may be useful in the management of microstomia in SSD patients.

yearjournalcountryeditionlanguage
2004-10-09
10.1007/s00784-003-0216-5http://hdl.handle.net/10447/206508