title: Orofacial functional impairments among patients following stroke: a systematic review.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The objective of this study was to review orofacial functional impairments among patients following stroke, including objective and subjective assessment.
  
  
  METHODS
  A structured search strategy was applied to three electronic databases (Pubmed, Embase, and Web of Science) to identify effective papers. Relevant data regarding subjects, method, outcomes, and key findings were extracted from the effective papers and the results were summarized.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The initial search yielded 5227 papers, and 18 effective papers (Kappa: 0.971) were in accordance with the inclusion criteria. The patients with stroke consistently showed a decreased lip force, salivary flow rate, and chewing performance compared with the healthy controls. Due to equivocal results gained from the effective papers, the qualitative assessments regarding whether there was any change in masticatory force on the affected side and oral health-related quality of life were inconclusive.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Existing evidence highlights a number of compromised orofacial functions experienced by patients following stroke. These impairments appear to be sustained, with spontaneous recovery unlikely to occur. While rehabilitative approaches may have the potential to improve orofacial function and quality of life following stroke, there is currently a lack of evidence-based interventions available to inform the development of comprehensive rehabilitation protocols.
authors.affiliation: Department of Public Health, Faculty of Dentistry, The University of Hong Kong, Prince Philip Dental Hospital 3/F, Sai Ying Pun, Hong Kong, China.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Dai
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral Rehabilitation, Faculty of Dentistry, The University of Hong Kong, Prince Philip Dental Hospital 4/F, Sai Ying Pun, Hong Kong, China.
authors.forename: O Lt
authors.initials: OL
authors.lastname: Lam
authors.affiliation: Department of Public Health, Faculty of Dentistry, The University of Hong Kong, Prince Philip Dental Hospital 3/F, Sai Ying Pun, Hong Kong, China.
authors.forename: E Cm
authors.initials: EC
authors.lastname: Lo
authors.affiliation: Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Tung Wah Hospital, Sheung Wan, Hong Kong, China.
authors.forename: L Sw
authors.initials: LS
authors.lastname: Li
authors.affiliation: Department of Public Health, Faculty of Dentistry, The University of Hong Kong, Prince Philip Dental Hospital 3/F, Sai Ying Pun, Hong Kong, China.
authors.forename: Y
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Wen
authors.affiliation: Department of Public Health, Faculty of Dentistry, The University of Hong Kong, Prince Philip Dental Hospital 3/F, Sai Ying Pun, Hong Kong, China.
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: McGrath
mesh_terms: D001732:Bite Force; D006801:Humans; D008046:Lip / Q000503:physiopathology; D008409:Mastication; D012472:Salivation; D013236:Stereognosis; D020521:Stroke / Q000150:complications* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D014059:Tongue / Q000503:physiopathology
keywords: function; oral health; rehabilitation; stroke; systematic review