Treatments for hypersalivation in people with Cerebral Palsy: A review

Abstract

Objective: Discuss the benefits of treatment options for people with cerebral palsy (CP). 

Material and methods: The PubMed, Scielo, Cochrane Library, and LILACS databases were searched using the terms: 1. '' Sialorrhea treatment '' AND '' cerebral palsy '', 2. '' drooling treatment '' AND '' cerebral palsy ''. Inclusion criteria: Relevance to the topic, samples with at least ten people with CP, maximum 5 years of publication, English or Spanish language, full-text availability. Exclusion criteria: case reports, bibliographic reviews. 

Results:  A total of 93 articles were found, of which 36 were duplicates. Three authors read the abstract of the remaining 57 and, after applying the eligibility criteria, selected 25 (n = 848) for full-text reading. Of these: 7 studies showed results with botulinum toxin (botox), 5 with surgical interventions, 2 used functional chewing training, 1 study of muscle vibration, 1 of anticholinergic use, 1 of atropine, and 8 studies compared two or more treatments options. Only 3 studies had a sample with more than 100 individuals. 

Conclusion: The evidence is not conclusive to determine whether one treatment is more effective than another. However, making greater efforts to improve and adapt dental care in people with CP will allow less invasive and equally effective hypersalivation treatments.