Structured Abstract
Clinical Question: For toddlers with feeding disorders characterized by oral-motor
deficits and limited texture acceptance, would an intervention that specifically included
at least one sensory processing component (e.g., tactile, proprioception) and an oralmotor
component be more effective than only an oral-motor intervention?
Method: Scoping Review
Study Sources: PubMed, Cochrane.org, PsychInfo, CINHAL, and ASHA.org
Search Terms: Oral-motor or sensory or sensorimotor, and feeding and intervention
and therapy
Number of Included Studies: 20
Primary Results:
1. Oral-motor interventions are modestly effective in improving oral motor skills in a
heterogeneous group of children
2. Sensory interventions, combined with oral-motor interventions, are effective in
improving oral motor skills and texture advancement
3. A direct comparison of the effectiveness of oral-motor only and sensory + oralmotor
is difficult as every empirical study included both a motor and a sensory
component to treatment
Conclusions: Currently, better evidence supports the use of oral-motor interventions
combined with sensory interventions in a specific population. Such interventions
may not be directly applicable to toddlers without other co-occurring etiologies.
These conclusions should be considered with patient/family perspectives and clinical
expertise to develop the best possible treatment plan.