The Effects of Sensory-Based Treatment of Drooling in Children

Abstract

Drooling has been attributed to the incoordination of the oro-facial muscles. Frequently, children who drool are able to eat and drink normally but do not respond to the sensory information provided by their own secretions in order to swallow in a timely manner. We describe a sensory-based therapy for the management of drooling based upon the hypothesis that drooling is not always due to muscle dysfunction but is often a sensory problem. Three developmentally delayed children, aged 6-7 years, were selected for this pilot study. All demonstrated adequate oral-motor coordination for the management of liquids and solid food consistencies at mealtime and were able to follow simple directions. Two were able to speak in sentences, while the other had limited verbal communication skills due to severe oral apraxia but was able to use sign language. All subjects also exhibited language delays. None were diagnosed with cerebral palsy.

Children were clinically treated using a flavored alcohol/propylene glycol stimulus to trigger the swallow. Drooling decreased consistently from the baseline, and some carry-over was noted. The baseline for drooling decreased with time in each subject when this stimulus was used.

Further investigations are indicated to confirm these observations and to study potential mechanisms for these responses.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Marjorie Meyer Palmer

Michael Lepp, PT, is in private practice, Associate Instructor of the Upledger Institute, and Clinical Instructor, Case Western Reserve University School of Dentistry, Cleveland, OH.

Marie McKenzie, MS, OTR, is in private practice. She was Coordinator of Occupational Therapy at Scottish Rite Hospital at the time of this study.

Heather Miller, MS, OTR/L, is currently employed by Madison County Educational Service Center, providing therapy services to the county's pre-schools. This research was completed in partial fulfillment of the requirements of an MS degree at Ohio State University.

Linda Viscardis, BA, is Team Leader and Community Development Worker, Peterborough Family Enrichment Centre. She is Co-Founder of P.R.O.S.P.E.C.T.S., a support and advocacy group for families who have children with special needs.

Debra Stewart, BSc, OT(C), is Occupational Therapist, Erinoak, Serving Young People with Physical Disabilities, Mississauga, ON, and Clinical Lecturer, School of Rehabilitation Science, McMaster University.

Janette McDougall, MA, was Project Coordinator

Kip Husted, BEd, was a parent representative on the study team.

Aviva Yochman, MA, OTR, was a student in the School of Occupational Therapy, Faculty of Medicine, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Israel at the time of this study.