Caracterização dos aspectos miofuncionais orofaciais em adulto com e sem gagueira

Abstract

Objective: To describe orofacial myofunctional aspects in adults with and without stuttering, through the application of the Orofacial Myofunctional Assessment Protocol with Scores – AMIOFE. Methods: Observational and quantitative research, with a sample composed of 30 adults between 18 and 50 years old, distributed in two groups: adults who stutter (AG; n = 15) and fluent adults (AF; n = 15). Variables of appearance, posture and mobility of orofacial structures were evaluated through selective application of the AMIOFE. The data were subjected to descriptive and inferential statistical analysis (Mann-Whitney test), with a significance level of 5%. Results: There were statistically significant differences between the groups for the following variables: facial symmetry (p = 0.03), proportion between the thirds of the face (p = 0.03), nasolabial fold (p = 0.01), cheek tension (p = 0.01), lip configuration (p = 0.03), width and height of the hard palate (p = 0.01), lip (p = 0.03) and tongue (p = 0.01) mobility, and respiratory pattern (p = 0.01). The AG group showed lower performance in the variables analyzed, especially those related to mobility and breathing. Conclusion: Adults who stutter have an orofacial myofunctional profile that is distinct from that of fluent adults, with changes in structural and functional aspects, such as mobility, muscle tone, and respiratory pattern. The results reinforce the importance of integrated myofunctional assessment in the diagnosis and clinical monitoring of stuttering.