• Therapeutic Science for Rehabilitation
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• v.12 no.4
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• pp.135-151
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• 2023

Objective : This study was conducted to confirm the effect of the oral motor facilitation technique (OMFT) on oral motor function in stroke patients. Methods : This study was conducted on 72 stroke patients with dysphagia were included. Thirty-six patients were randomly assigned to the experimental and control groups were randomly classified into 36 patients each using a random table, and a two-group pre-post test was designed. The experimental group underwent OMFT, and the control group underwent traditional dysphagia therapy for 30 min, once a day, 5 times a week for 4 weeks, for a total of 20 sessions. The Comprehensive Orofacial Function Scale (COFFS) was used to evaluate oral motor function. Repeated-measures analysis of variance (ANOVA) was performed to confirm the effect of the period, and an independent t-test was performed to analyze the difference in change between the two groups. Results : Total COFFS scores improved in both groups. The experimental group showed significant changes in mandibular and lip movements, cheek blows, and tongue movements. In addition, there were significant differences depending on the intervention period in terms of masticatory distribution, food spillage, swallowing of solid and liquid foods, and voice changes. There were significant differences in the mandibular opening and closing categories between the two groups. Conclusion : OMFT is effective in improving oral motor function in stroke patients with dysphagia and can be used as basic evidence in clinical practice.

• Journal of Convergence for Information Technology
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• v.11 no.4
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• pp.153-160
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• 2021

Goal of this study is to introduce newly developed Oral Motor Facilitation Technique(OMFT), to identify effect of oral motor therapy on oral praxis and oral function of Down syndrome child. OMFT is comprehensive oral motor therapy for improving sensory adaptation, oral sensori-motor function, oral motor coordination of oro-facial structure by therapist's direct manual stroking. Subject was 10years old down syndrome boy. Treatment was practiced 8 times, 15minutes per time, from May to July, 2020. Oral praxis, drooling, quality of chewing ability were tested before and after treatments. Every single items of Oral Praxis Test was increased. Severity and frequency of drooling were decreased. Quality of chewing ability is improved. Through this case study, we can find the positive effect of OMFT on oral praxis, drooling, chewing ability of Down syndrome child.

• Therapeutic Science for Rehabilitation
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• v.10 no.1
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• pp.53-61
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• 2021

Introduction : OMFT is a therapeutic technique based on sensorimotor, motor control and motor learning, and its major goal is to improve oral motor function. The oral motor conceptual hierarchical development is divided into 5 steps: 1) sensorimotor, 2) movement integration, 3) structural movement, 4) functional oral motor, and 5) comprehensive oral motor. Discussion : The OMFT consists of 3 techniques, 10 categories, and 50 sub-item. 1) Warming up technique: 2 categories, 12 sub-item, warming up by sensory awareness and adaptation, therapy situation adaptation, neck movement; 2) Key point technique: 7 categories, 30 sub-item, oral motor facilitation and increasing chewing skill by direct stroke of oral structures such as the face, lips, cheeks, gum, jaws, and tongue; 3) Application technique: 1 category, 8 sub-item, facilitate food intake and swallowing. Conclusion : The goal of this article is to introduce 3 techniques, 50 sub-item of OMFT, as a comprehensive oral motor therapy method, for application to clients. This article provides information that will help oral motor specialists in treating clients with oral motor problems more effectively and professionally.

• Therapeutic Science for Rehabilitation
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• v.10 no.1
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• pp.37-52
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• 2021

Introduction : Oral motor function is basic function of sensory exploration, feeding, and communication, that develops from the fetal stage to childhood. Problems with oral motor function result in difficulty within handling food in the oral cavity, decreased swallowing and feeding skills, difficulty with communication, and problems with oral hygiene. To treat these symptoms, oral motor therapy is provided for normalizing sensory adaptation in the oral cavity, and increasing postural control, oral movement and oral motor function. Discussion : The oral motor facilitation technique (OMFT) was developed for increasing general and integrated oral motor function based on the following: 1) understanding orofacial muscular physiology; 2) a comprehensive approach to sensory·adaptation·behavior·cognition; 3) sensorimotor stimulation by a manual approach; 4) motor control and motor learning theory. The OMFT is a new evidence-based treatment protocol, for children and adults with neuromuscular and oral motor problems. Conclusion : The goal of this article is to provide a theoretical background for OMFT development and the basic concept for the clinical application of OMFT. We hope that this article will help oral motor therapy experts to provide effective therapy in a more professional way.

• Journal of Convergence for Information Technology
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.180-188
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• 2022

Goal of this study is to identify effect of Oral Motor Facilitation Technique(OMFT) on feeding development, tube weaning of PWS baby. Subject was 8months old PWS girl. 2 times of OT, 1 times of OMFT per weeks were provided from July, 2020 to June, 2021. Feeding development and skills was increased and could eat food by mouth after OMFT treatment. Especially, she could eat food by her mouth after 3mts of OMFT and age-appropriated food intake, chewing function, drinking by straw was increased. Through this case study, early detecting and treatment for feeding development of PWS is very important. OMFT is good treatment protocol for increasing feeding development and oral motor skills of PWS.

• Therapeutic Science for Rehabilitation
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• v.11 no.4
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• pp.69-83
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• 2022

Objective : This study aimed to confirm the possibility of the clinical application of oral motor facilitation technique (OMFT) protocol and neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) in patients with Wallenberg syndrome. Methods : One patient with Wallenberg syndrome was treated with OMFT and NMES applied 40 times each, 5 days a week, twice a day for 4 weeks. The Comprehensive Oral-Facial Function Scale (COFFS), Korean-Mann Swallowing Ability Assessment (K-MASA), and Penetration-Aspiration Scale (PAS) were used to compare the changes before and after the intervention. Data analysis was used to compare the score changes before and after the intervention. Results : Orofacial function and swallowing ability improved after the intervention in the individual who participated in this study. Among oral motor functions, relatively greater functional improvement was observed in tongue movement compared to other functions, which was evaluated to the extent that pharyngeal swallowing was possible. Conclusions : Early swallowing rehabilitation using systematic OMFT and NMES of exercise intensity confirmed the possibility of improving oral motor function and dysphagia. In the future, complementary studies on the effects of interventions applying the OMFT and NMES will be needed.