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50 Years of the IJOM: Perspectives and Future Directions...
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50 Years of the IJOM: Perspectives and Future Directions in Orofacial Myology and Myofunctional Therapy

A special issue of International Journal of Orofacial Myology and Myofunctional Therapy (ISSN 2694-2526).

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 December 2025 | Viewed by 1062

Special Issue Editor

Dr. Nancy Pearl Solomon

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
1. Walter Reed National Miliary Medical Center, Bethesda, MD, USA
2. Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD, USA
3. Department of Hearing and Speech Sciences, University of Maryland, College Park, MD, USA
Interests: dysphagia; voice disorders; motor speech disorders

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues

The first issue of the IJOM (then called International Journal of Oral Myology) was published in 1975, making 2025 its 50th anniversary! To commemorate this special milestone, we are launching a Special Issue of the journal called “50 Years of the IJOM: Perspectives and Future Directions in Orofacial Myology and Myofunctional Therapy”. This Issue will include a collection of articles from clinicians and researchers representing a variety of timepoints in the history of the International Association of Orofacial Myology (IAOM) and IJOM. We encourage submissions from clinical practitioners and researchers that highlight historical context, recent developments, and future directions in orofacial myology and myofunctional therapy.

I look forward to your contributions!

Dr. Nancy Pearl Solomon
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. International Journal of Orofacial Myology and Myofunctional Therapy is an international peer-reviewed open access semiannually journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 1100 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • airway orthodontics
  • ankyloglossia
  • bruxism
  • craniofacial and maxillofacial development
  • dental hygiene
  • infant feeding
  • orofacial and oropharyngeal myofunctional therapy
  • sleep disordered breathing
  • speech-language pathology
  • tongue-thrust therapy

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Further information on MDPI's Special Issue policies can be found here.

Published Papers (2 papers)

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Research

20 pages, 777 KiB  
Article
Multidisciplinary Approaches to Tongue Thrust Management in Australia: An Exploratory Study
by Sharon Smart, Julia Dekenah, Ashleigh Joel, Holly Newman and Kelly Milner
Int. J. Orofac. Myol. Myofunct. Ther. 2025, 51(2), 7; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijom51020007 - 14 Jul 2025
Viewed by 305
Abstract
Background/Objectives: Tongue thrust (TT) occurs when abnormal tongue movements cause anterior tongue placement with pressure and contact against or between the teeth, potentially affecting the oral phase of swallowing, impacting eating, breathing and speaking. There is limited literature on the diagnostic and treatment [...] Read more.
Background/Objectives: Tongue thrust (TT) occurs when abnormal tongue movements cause anterior tongue placement with pressure and contact against or between the teeth, potentially affecting the oral phase of swallowing, impacting eating, breathing and speaking. There is limited literature on the diagnostic and treatment approaches for TT, as well as involvement of health practitioners in its management. This study aims to examine the current knowledge and practices related to TT diagnosis and treatment among health professionals in Australia. Methods: A two-phase explanatory sequential mixed methods approach was adopted, comprising an online survey that collected participants’ demographic information and details on assessment, diagnosis, management, referral practices, and relevant experience and training. Phase one involved 47 health professionals from various disciplines in Australia who completed an online survey in its entirety. Phase two included in-depth interviews with seven speech-language pathologists (SLPs) to gain further insights into their experiences in managing TT. Survey data were analysed descriptively, and interview data was analysed thematically. Results: Most participants diagnosed TT using clinical assessments, such as general observation and oral motor examinations. Treatment approaches commonly included orofacial myofunctional therapy and the use of myofunctional devices. Interviews with SLPs identified four key themes: tongue thrust as a symptom rather than a diagnosis, facilitators to effective treatment, multidisciplinary approaches to management, and training and education gaps in clinical practice. Conclusions: This study provides valuable insights into how TT is identified, assessed, diagnosed, and managed by health professionals in Australia. It highlights the perspectives of SLPs on treatment approaches, as well as their views on the availability and adequacy of training and education in this field. The findings suggest the need for a broader understanding of TT management, emphasising the importance of multidisciplinary collaboration and professional development. These insights are globally relevant, as they stress the shared challenges and the value of international collaboration in improving TT diagnosis and treatment practices. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue 50 Years of the IJOM: Perspectives and Future Directions in Orofacial Myology and Myofunctional Therapy)
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25 pages, 1824 KiB  
Article
Orofacial Myofunctional Therapy for Patients with Obstructive Sleep Apnea—A Mixed Methods Study of Facilitators and Barriers to Treatment Adherence
by Diana Dobran Hansen, Unn Tinbod, Xin Feng, Toril Dammen, Harald Hrubos-Strøm and Helge Skirbekk
Int. J. Orofac. Myol. Myofunct. Ther. 2025, 51(2), 6; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijom51020006 - 30 Jun 2025
Viewed by 579
Abstract
Orofacial myofunctional therapy (OMT) for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a promising, new treatment. We aimed to study patients’ experiences and adherence to OMT. Twelve patients with OSA were included in the study, and they engaged in OMT exercises three times daily for [...] Read more.
Orofacial myofunctional therapy (OMT) for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a promising, new treatment. We aimed to study patients’ experiences and adherence to OMT. Twelve patients with OSA were included in the study, and they engaged in OMT exercises three times daily for 12 weeks. Participants tracked their sleep and OMT exercise activities in an electronic diary. Exercise techniques were guided by a certified therapist. Patients’ experiences with OMT were assessed through semi-structured individual interviews conducted after a 12-week intervention, and the transcripts were analyzed using thematic analysis. The findings revealed an overarching theme that captured both facilitators of and barriers to OMT, organized into three subthemes: (1) motivation, (2) perceived support, and (3) perceived effects. Motivation was driven by a desire to improve general health and avoid continuous positive airway pressure treatment, and was supported by a sense of mastery and perceived effectiveness. Key facilitators included a trusting patient–therapist relationship, as well as developing routines and a sense of control. Barriers involved managing the comprehensive treatment protocol, insecurities around exercise execution and the potential impact of OMT, sickness burden, and previous negative healthcare experiences. These themes were supported by quantitative findings, which demonstrated high treatment adherence, while sleep data indicated modest individual improvements in subjective sleep quality and efficiency. By recognizing facilitators and barriers and addressing the individual differences among OSA patients, healthcare providers can better tailor their approach to meet diverse patient needs. This personalized approach, supported by emerging sleep improvements, may enhance patient engagement and improve adherence to OMT. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue 50 Years of the IJOM: Perspectives and Future Directions in Orofacial Myology and Myofunctional Therapy)
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