Two mastication tests used in children with down syndrome: A feasibility study

BACKGROUND: Children with Down syndrome can have problems with chewing and swallowing. However, no objective tests are available that give information about the efficiency and endurance of mastication. In this study, the feasibility of two mastication tests is studied by answering two research questions: are the Test of Mastication and Swallowing of Solids and the 6-min mastication test feasible to use in children with Down syndrome? Do these tests give information about the mastication efficiency and endurance in these children? METHOD: A total of 24 (4-18 years) children with Down syndrome participated. The collected variables in the Test of Mastication and Swallowing of Solids were masticatory time, discrete bites, masticatory cycles and number of swallows per cracker. The inter-rater reliability of these variables was tested. Collected variables in the 6-min mastication test were total masticatory cycles and percentage difference between minutes 1 and 6. Qualitative ratings of masticatory movements were made. In both tests, a comparison with a typically developing group was made. RESULTS: In both tests, a total of 87.5% of the children completed the test. Both tests are feasible for children with Down syndrome with language comprehension skills of 3 years and over. CONCLUSIONS: The tests give information about the function and endurance during mastication in children with Down syndrome. The results showed that children with Down syndrome do not have endurance problems during mastication, but there is a lack of efficiency in mastication.