Telehealth and Speech Therapy: usability assessment of an orientation and prevention program of orofacial myofunctional changes, during the COVID-19 pandemic

PURPOSE: To assess the effect of an virtual speech-language orientation program, as well as the prevention of orofacial myofunctional alterations. METHODS: Fifty-five volunteer residents aged between 18 and 50 years of age residents of Federal District participated in the study, 14 men and 41 women with an average of 28. The orientation program was divided into five stages (1) The preparation of material to be used in the orientation program, (2) The completion of a semi-structured questionnaire made available through Google Forms, (3) Completion of a pre-orientation program questionnaire, (4) utilization of the speech therapy orientation program, (5) Completion of the post-orientation program questionnaire. To analyze the results the McNemar statistical test was used considering the absolute frequency (N), enabling comparison through a paired sample. The significance level adopted was 5%. RESULTS: Statistically significant differences were seen in 10 of the 19 questions asked in the pre and post-orientation program questionnaires, proving the effect of the orientation program and improvement in participants’ knowledge. In addition the participants were satisfied with the program and the content. CONCLUSION: The orientation program focused on health promotion and prevention of orofacial myofunctional alterations and combined with telehealth brought significant changes to the reality of the participants, favoring the quality of life of these individuals and changing their reality.