The protocol of orofacial myofunctional evaluation with scores (OMES-protocol or AMIOFE in Portuguese language) is a validated instrument for the diagnosis of orofacial myofunctional disorders that can be used in clinical practice for speech-language pathologists. Because in the Italian language there is no validated tool for such purpose, this study was developed.
Purposes: To translate and culturally adapt the OMES-protocol for Italian language and determine the normal score value in a group of young Italian adults.
Methods: The OMES-protocol was translated from English to Italian by three bilingual individuals. From these translations, a consensus version was prepared by a research committee (three speech therapists and one physician and submitted to a committee of judges composed by eight speech therapists experienced in the area. The authors of the original version verified and approved the Italian version of the protocol. The instrument was tested via evaluations of 40 young and grown-up Italians (age range: 18-56 years) performed by two speech therapists. A cutoff score, previously described, was used to determine the mean and standard deviation.
Results: The translation stage and the final Italian version of the OMES-protocol are shown. The mean of scores for individuals with and without orofacial myofunctional disorders were presented.
Conclusion: The Italian version of the OMES-protocol was developed, translated, and cross-culturally adapted. Normal values for young and adult Italian subjects are presented.