• Corpus ID: 74710284

Evaluation of a mechanical stretching device, the TheraBite ® , in patients with restricted maximal mouth opening and neuromuscular disorders: a case series

@inproceedings{Ahlborg2012EvaluationOA,
  title={Evaluation of a mechanical stretching device, the TheraBite {\textregistered} , in patients with restricted maximal mouth opening and neuromuscular disorders: a case series},
  author={B Ahlborg and Birgitta Johansson and Cahlin and {\AA}sa M{\aa}rtensson and Anna-Karin Kroksmark},
  year={2012}
}

• B. Ahlborg, B. Johansson, +2 authors A. Kroksmark
• Published 2012
• Medicine, Psychology, Biology

Aim: Inability to open the mouth completely is a feature that develops in several of the neuromuscular disorders. The aim of this case series was to evaluate whether stretching with TheraBite ® had any effect on maximal mouth opening in patients with Duchenne muscular dystrophy and spinal muscular atrophy. Methods: Three patients with spinal muscular atrophy and six patients with Duchenne muscular dystrophy were treated during a two-year period. Maximal interincisor opening was measured to evaluate the results and the patients also kept diaries. Results: The patients with spinal muscular atrophy preserved their maximal mouth opening or increased their results slightly. One patient with Duchenne muscular dystrophy increased the maximal mouth opening, while, in five patients mouth opening was slightly reduced during the treatment period. Conclusion: This series suggests that stretching with the TheraBite ® should be introduced the moment a progressive limitation is noticed, as it appears to be easier to preserve rather than increase mouth opening.