@inproceedings{01HYZHMABE6YAN0K8GHG8QR42N,
  abstract     = {{Background.
Pediatric obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a prevalent medical condition, affecting 1.2-5.7% of non-syndromic children, with significantly higher rates in children with Down syndrome (30-90%) and Prader-Willi syndrome (44-92%). Given the severity of the condition and the associated health risks, it is important to treat the disorder early and effectively. Adenotonsillectomy (AT) is the standard therapeutic approach, but seems inadequate in 20-40% of non-syndromic children and up to 55% and 79% of children with Down syndrome and Prader-Willy syndrome, respectively. Residual OSA post-AT is often attributed to the persistence of oromyofunctional disorders (OMFD) that are not cured after surgical intervention and underlie the development and maintenance of OSA. Therefore, oromyofunctional therapy (OMFT) is emerging as a promising new treatment for pediatric OSA in addition to or as a replacement for AT.
Aims & Methods.
The occurrence of OMFD will be compared between non-syndromic children with and without OSA, using both perceptual and instrumental measures. Secondly, the effectiveness of OMFT will be investigated in non-syndromic children with OSA and syndromic children with Down syndrome or Prader-Willy syndrome. Therapy will consist of guided sessions in clinic and individual home practice. Both short- and longer-term effects on oromyofunctional patterns, sleep quality and quality of life will be determined.
Outcomes and results.
Higher occurrence of OMFD is expected in non-syndromic children with OSA compared to non-syndromic children without OSA. Furthermore, significant improvements in oromyofunctional patterns as well as a decrease in OSA severity, OSA symptoms and an increase in OSA-related Quality of Life is expected after OMFT in both non-syndromic and syndromic children.
Conclusion.
This innovative research will be the start of a new evidence-based treatment method for pediatric OSA in which interdisciplinary collaboration between speech-language pathologists, ENT specialists, and sleep-specialists will be key.}},
  articleno    = {{P15}},
  author       = {{Verbeke, Jolien and Meerschman, Iris and Dhondt, Karlien and De Leenheer, Els and Willekens, Julie and Claeys, Sofie and Van Lierde, Kristiane}},
  booktitle    = {{12th ESLA Congress of Speech and Language Therapy Abstract Book}},
  isbn         = {{9786069593943}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  location     = {{Bruges, Belgium}},
  publisher    = {{ASTTLR Publisher}},
  title        = {{Oromyofunctional training : an innovative rehabilitation program for pediatric obstructive sleep apnea}},
  url          = {{https://eslacongress.eu/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/12TH-ESLA-Congress-Abstract-Book.pdf}},
  year         = {{2024}},
}