The test of masticating and swallowing solids (ToMaSS): An investigation of applicability and clinical utility in children with orofacial myofunctional disorders

Abstract

BackgroundOrofacial myofunctional disorders (OMD) are often associated with limitations of oral ingestion of solid food. The Test of Masticating and Swallowing Solids (ToMaSS) is a simple diagnostic tool to assess and quantify oropharyngeal efficiency while eating a standardised cracker.ObjectivesThe objective of this study was to investigate the applicability and clinical utility of the ToMaSS in children with OMD.MethodsIn this case–control study, data were collected from 18 children between 4 and 11 years with confirmed OMD. Inter‐rater reliability and age effects on the ToMaSS parameters were investigated and the specific performance profile of the OMD children was identified.ResultsInter‐rater reliability was excellent for the ToMaSS parameters ‘bites’ (ICC = .999), ‘masticatory cycles’ (ICC = .961), ‘time’(ICC≧ .999) and good for ‘number of swallows’ (ICC = .810). ‘Masticatory cycles’ and ‘time’ decreased as a function of age with a significant difference in the ‘number of masticatory cycles’ between the youngest (4–6 years) and oldest (10–14 years) participants (p = .006, Z = −2.739). Deviations from normative data in at least one of the four ToMaSS parameters were found in 90% of the OMD children with ‘bites’, and ‘masticatory cycles’ predominantly corresponding to the performances expected in typically‐developing children in younger age groups.ConclusionsThe ToMaSS is a reliable diagnostic instrument and clinically useful to detect limited efficiency of oral solid bolus intake and specific impairments in chewing function and duration of food intake in children with OMD. Our data suggest that OMD is associated with delayed development of efficient solid bolus preparation.