• Therapeutic Science for Rehabilitation
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.69-85
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• 2022

Objective : This study aimed to develop a Comprehensive Oro-Facial Function Scale (COFFS) that can evaluate oro-facial function in patients with dysphagia. Methods : To verify the item composition and reliability of the COFFS, preliminary items were collected by selecting and analyzing four previous studies, and the Content Validity Ratio (CVR) was derived through a second survey of experts. Cronbach's 𝛼 was calculated for the internal validity of the evaluation items, and the test-retest reliability and inter-rater reliability were calculated using the internal classification coefficients (ICC). Results : The content validity ratio of all items was 0.67; in the case of Cronbach's 𝛼 value for each domain, 0.849 for communication domain, -0.224 for the oro-facial structure and shape, 0.831 for the ability to perform orofacial movements, and 0.946 for mastication and swallowing function. The test-retest reliability was 0.974 and the inter-rater reliability was 0.937, showing high reliability. Conclusion : In this study, the evaluation tool of COFFS was finally selected from 34 items in four areas and developed on a 3-5 point scale according to the evaluation items. In future studies, additional research is needed to prove its validity through correlation with other evaluation tools that measure oro-facial function.

• 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.