Effects of sucking exercise using straws on mouth rinsing ability in children with down syndrome

• Main Authors: Hiranya Putri, Megananda, Sukmasari, Susi, Herijulianti, Eliza, Anggrawati, Hetty, Nurjanah, Neneng, Setiawan, Arlette Suzy
• Format: Article
• Language: English; English
• Published: University of Dicle 2021
• Subjects: RK Dentistry
• Online Access: http://irep.iium.edu.my/100940/1/100940_Effects%20of%20sucking%20exercise%20using%20straws.pdf; http://irep.iium.edu.my/100940/2/100940_Effects%20of%20sucking%20exercise%20using%20straws_SCOPUS.pdf; http://irep.iium.edu.my/100940/; http://www.jidmr.com/journal/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/31-D21_1582_Susi_Sukmasari_Malaysia.pdf
• Institution: Universiti Islam Antarabangsa Malaysia

Background: Down syndrome (DS) children with facial hypotonus need muscle exercise to improve oral hygiene. Aim: To investigate the effect of sucking exercises using different shaped straws in Down syndrome children. Methods: The study in 41 DS children at DS Parents Association in Bandung. They scored using the Mouth Rinsing Test Function (MRT-F) scale and taught how to suck water using the straw, then performed at home. Wilcoxon Signed Ranks were used to assess MRT-F scores before and after sucking exercises and Mann-Whitney U test to determine the differences between two different shaped of straws. Result: The first day of MRF-T scores in circular straws group were 1(30%), 2(35%), 3(20%) and 4(15%), while in straight straws were 1(38.2%), 2(19%), 3(42.9%) and 4(0%) respectively. At the end of the third week the scores were 1(25%),2(25%),3(15%), 4(20%), and 5(15%), while in straight straws were 1(33%),2(19%),3(28.6%), 4(14.3%), and 5(4.8%). The significant difference of MRFT scores before and after exercises were p<0.05, while the differences between circular and straight straws were p>0.05. Conclusion: The ability to mouth rinse in DS children was improved after performing water sucking exercises in both groups. However, no significant differences between the straight and circular straw exercises.