The Effects of a Massage and Oro-facial Exercise Program on Spastic Dysarthrics' Lip Muscle Function

This study was to determine the effects of a massage and oro-facial exercise program on spastic dysarthric patients' lip muscle function using an electromyogram (EMG). Three subjects with Spastic Dysarthria participated in the study. The surface electrodes were positioned on the Levator Labii Superior Muscle (LLSM), Depressor Labii Inferior Muscle (DLIM), and Orbicularis Oris Muscle (OOM). To examine lip muscle function improvement, the EMG signals were analyzed in terms of RMS (Root Mean Square) values and Median Frequency. In addition, the diadochokinetic movements and the rate of sentence reading were measured. The results revealed that the RMS values were decreased and the Median Frequency moved to a high frequency area. Diadochokinesis and sentence reading rates were improved.