The Effect of Facial Massage on Mouth Closure Ability in Toddlers at Pal 3 Community Health Center, Pontianak
Main Article Content
Therecia Wijayati
Marice Marice
Youlenta Ernesotha
Background: Feeding difficulties associated with poor mouth closure ability may impair oral motor function and negatively affect nutritional intake and child growth. Facial massage has been introduced as a simple, non-pharmacological intervention to stimulate facial muscles and improve oral motor performance; however, evidence regarding its effectiveness among toddlers remains limited. This study aimed to determine the effect of facial massage on mouth closure ability among toddlers at Pal 3 Community Health Center, Pontianak.
Methods: A quantitative pre-experimental study with a one-group pretest–posttest design was conducted from January to March 2026 at Pal 3 Community Health Center, Pontianak. A total of 40 toddlers aged 1–5 years were recruited using purposive sampling. Facial massage using almond oil was administered twice weekly. Mouth closure ability was assessed before and after the intervention using a structured observation checklist. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and inferential analysis, with statistical significance set at p < 0.05.
Results: Before the intervention, 90.0% of toddlers demonstrated poor mouth closure ability, while only 10.0% showed good mouth closure ability. Following facial massage, the proportion of toddlers with good mouth closure ability increased to 90.0%, whereas the proportion with poor mouth closure ability decreased to 10.0%. The mean mouth closure score increased from 2.25 ± 2.34 to 7.20 ± 2.80, with a mean difference of 4.95 ± 0.47. Statistical analysis revealed a significant improvement after the intervention (p < 0.001).
Conclusion: Facial massage significantly improved mouth closure ability among toddlers and may serve as a safe, simple, and cost-effective complementary intervention to enhance oral motor function in primary healthcare settings.
Arsovski, D. (2025). Deep Tissue Massage Therapy: Effects on Muscle Recovery and Performance in Athletes. International Journal of Therapeutic Massage & Bodywork Research Education & Practice, 18(2), 40–51. https://doi.org/10.3822/ijtmb.v18i2.1139
Azriani, D., Masita, Qinthara, N. S., Yulita, I. N., Agustian, D., Zuhairini, Y., & Dhamayanti, M. (2024). Risk factors associated with stunting incidence in under five children in Southeast Asia: a scoping review. Journal of Health, Population and Nutrition, 43(1), 174. https://doi.org/10.1186/s41043-024-00656-7
Chen, H.-L., Li, C., Wang, J., Fei, Y., Min, M., Zhao, Y., Shan, E.-F., Yin, Y.-H., Liu, C.-Y., & Li, X.-W. (2023). Non-Pharmacological Interventions for Feeding and Eating Disorders in Persons with Dementia: Systematic Review and Evidence Summary. Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease, 94(1), 67–88. https://doi.org/10.3233/JAD-221032
Chen, S.-C., Lin, S.-L., Wang, M., Cheung, D. S.-T., Liang, J.-G., Cheng, Z.-Y., Yuen, C. S., & Yeung, W.-F. (2024). Pediatric massage therapy in infants and children under 5 years: An umbrella review of systematic reviews. Heliyon, 10(16), e35993. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e35993
Chmiel, J., & Kurpas, D. (2026). Through Massage to the Brain—Neuronal and Neuroplastic Mechanisms of Massage Based on Various Neuroimaging Techniques (EEG, fMRI, and fNIRS). Journal of Clinical Medicine, 15(2), 909. https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm15020909
Cichero, J. A. Y. (2020). Evaluating chewing function: Expanding the dysphagia field using food oral processing and the IDDSI framework. Journal of Texture Studies, 51(1), 56–66. https://doi.org/10.1111/jtxs.12462
de Sire, A., Ferrillo, M., Lippi, L., Agostini, F., de Sire, R., Ferrara, P. E., Raguso, G., Riso, S., Roccuzzo, A., Ronconi, G., Invernizzi, M., & Migliario, M. (2022). Sarcopenic Dysphagia, Malnutrition, and Oral Frailty in Elderly: A Comprehensive Review. Nutrients, 14(5), 982. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu14050982
Dharmaraj, R., Elmaoued, R., Alkhouri, R., Vohra, P., & Castillo, R. O. (2023). Evaluation and Management of Pediatric Feeding Disorder. Gastrointestinal Disorders, 5(1), 75–86. https://doi.org/10.3390/gidisord5010008
Franchinotti, R., Moler, M., Paulenas, E., Saura, J. P., & Andreu, M. F. (2025). Non-Pharmacological Interventions for Feeding Disorders in Pediatrics: A Scoping Review. Occupational Therapy In Health Care, 39(3), 712–746. https://doi.org/10.1080/07380577.2024.2401732
J, J., S, D., Suganthirababu, P., N, S., K, P., J, V., Srinivasan, V., & Siva, S. (2026). Comparative effects of facial massage and oral motor exercises on sialorrhea in individuals with Parkinson’s disease. Fisioterapia Em Movimento, 39. https://doi.org/10.1590/fm.2026.39102
Kuswandari, S., Kusuma, P., Mahendra, W., & Jatmiko, I. S. (2024). Journal of International Dental and Medical Research ISSN 1309-100X http://www.jidmr.com Orofacial Myofunctional Appliances Anrizandy Narwidina et al.
Lee, H.-H. (2025). Tongue-Tie in Children: Clinical Controversies and a Comprehensive Review. THE JOURNAL OF THE KOREAN ACADEMY OF PEDTATRIC DENTISTRY, 52(4), 396–414. https://doi.org/10.5933/JKAPD.2025.52.4.396
Liang, Y., Offenhäusser, A., Ingebrandt, S., & Mayer, D. (2021). PEDOT:PSS‐Based Bioelectronic Devices for Recording and Modulation of Electrophysiological and Biochemical Cell Signals. Advanced Healthcare Materials, 10(11). https://doi.org/10.1002/adhm.202100061
Mulyani, A. T., Khairinisa, M. A., Khatib, A., & Chaerunisaa, A. Y. (2025). Understanding Stunting: Impact, Causes, and Strategy to Accelerate Stunting Reduction—A Narrative Review. Nutrients, 17(9), 1493. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu17091493
Panella, M. (2022). Feeding and Dysphagia in Children with Cerebral Palsy. In Cerebral Palsy (pp. 371–400). Springer International Publishing. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-85619-9_10
Rakhmawati, W., Mediani, H. S., Dhamayanti, M., Maryati, I., Setiawan, A. S., Hendrawati, S., Maryam, N., Hasanah, A., Mulyana, A. M., Mariani, D., & Rochimat, I. (2024). Potential of Massage Therapy for Improved Growth and Development Among Infants Under 9 Months: A Systematic Scoping Review of Intervention Type, Technique, and Outcome. Journal of Multidisciplinary Healthcare, Volume 17, 3931–3943. https://doi.org/10.2147/JMDH.S475731
Soliman, A., De Sanctis, V., Alaaraj, N., Ahmed, S., Alyafei, F., Hamed, N., & Soliman, N. (2021). Early and long-term consequences of nutritional stunting: From childhood to adulthood. Acta Biomedica, 92(1), 1–12. https://doi.org/10.23750/abm.v92i1.11346
Song, H., Kim, M., Kim, E., Lee, J., Jeong, I., Lim, K., Ryu, S. Y., Oh, M., Kim, Y., & Park, J. (2024). Neuromodulation of the peripheral nervous system: Bioelectronic technology and prospective developments. BMEMat, 2(1). https://doi.org/10.1002/bmm2.12048
Voniati, L., Papaleontiou, A., Georgiou, R., & Tafiadis, D. (2021). The Effectiveness of Oral Sensorimotor Intervention in Children with Feeding Disorders. Current Developmental Disorders Reports, 8(4), 201–211. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40474-021-00236-y
