Effectiveness of orofacial myofunctional therapy applied in pre- and post-surgical phases on speech outcomes in pediatric patients with cleft lip, alveolus, and palate

Cleft lip and palate (CLP) affects 1 to 2 in every 1,000 live births and is associated with significant speech development impairments due to underlying anatomical and functional deficits. Orofacial myofunctional therapy (OMT) has been proposed as an adjunctive intervention aimed at optimizing surgical outcomes and enhancing orofacial system function, particularly in relation to articulation and vocal resonance. However, there is currently limited synthesis of evidence regarding the actual effectiveness of OMT on speech disorders in individuals with CLP. This systematic review seeks to address a relevant clinical question that may inform multidisciplinary treatment strategies and contribute to the development of evidence-based clinical practice guidelines.