Assessment of the Effects of Digit Sucking Habit on the Circumoral Musculature using Motion Mode Ultrasonography

Abstract

Objective: This comparative study assessed the thickness and fractional shortening of the circumoral musculature in children with and without digit sucking habit using motion mode ultrasonography.

Methods: One hundred children aged 7-12 years were divided into two equal groups of active digit sucking (experimental) and non-sucking (control). The groups were matched for age groups and gender. Ultrasonographic evaluation (2 D and motion mode) of the circumoral muscles was performed using a linear probe of 7.5 MHz. The thickness at contraction/relaxation and fractional shortening for each muscle was determined. Data were analyzed using IBM SPSS version 20.0 for windows. Descriptive statistics and multivariate linear regression were used. Statistically significance level was set at p <0.05.

Results: There was no statistically significant differences in muscle thickness during contraction and fractional shortening between the two groups (p>0.05). However, significant difference was observed during relaxation (p<0.05). No significant difference was observed between both groups when each sex was compared to one another(p>0.05). Generally, circumoral muscles did not show any significant association with the frequency of sucking except for duration of sucking for the lower circumoral muscle during relaxation (r=0.237; p=0.018) and fractional shortening (r= -0.208; p=0.038).

Conclusion: The thickness and fractional shortening between sucking and nonsucking groups was found to be similar, however, increased duration of sucking significantly increased the lower circumoral muscle thickness which reflects excessive muscle activity.