The Efficacy of Oral Myofunctional and Coarticulation Therapy

Summary: The authors have attempted to summarize the current state of knowledge about the relationships between oral myofunctional therapy and articulation therapy. Considerable evidence has been obtained that indicates that oral myofunctional therapy techniques can improve articulation of sibilant sounds. These findings present an optimistic direction for future research and successful use of myofunctional therapy and coarticulation. There remains the need for clinical practitioners and laboratory scientists to continue to investigate the commonalities and differences of oral myofunctional and articulation disorders. We have suggested that the SLP can use techniques that are fundamentally sound for modifying both biological and articulatory behaviors. The use of coarticulation assessment and intervention processes combined with oral myofunctional retraining can coexist in a program designed to retract the resting and ballistic movements of the tongue.