Importance of translational research in the study of orofacial myofunctional disorders

Dear editors,

Speech-language-hearing studies have been increasing in recent decades around the world, particularly in Brazil¹. Different research designs are found in the literature regarding the comprehension of orofacial myofunctional disorders, including crosssectional², cohort³, case-control studies⁴, randomized clinical trials⁵, case reports⁶, narrative⁷, integrative⁸, and systematic reviews⁹, and so forth.

Studies have also tried to understand orofacial disorders in animal models to improve knowledge in this area. It is relevant to mention studies that assessed orofacial disorders in experimental models with conditions such as malnutrition^10-12, cerebral palsy^11,13,14, and Parkinson’s disease^15,16. These studies made it possible to analyze complex physiological structures and mechanisms, such as the histochemical analysis of fibers from the masseter and digastric masticatory muscles, which are difficult to analyze in humans.

Moreover, advances in research into orofacial myofunctional disorders have raised new questions and needs, requiring that approaches be reorganized¹⁷. Hence, a new approach to scientific research has been growing worldwide - namely, translational research, which aims at interdisciplinary research and faster bidirectional exchange between basic and clinical science. Thus, basic laboratory research findings move toward applied environments involving patients and populations^18,19.

The term translational research appeared in the 1960s, especially in oncology. According to the US National Cancer Institute, translational research “translates scientific discoveries into clinical applications to reduce the incidence, morbidity, and mortality of diseases²⁰.” The contemporary approach to translational research stood out in an editorial published in 2002 in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA), which highlighted the importance of translating new knowledge, mechanisms, and techniques generated by basic scientific research into new approaches to prevent, diagnose, and treat diseases²¹.

According to the American Cancer Society, basic science involves laboratory studies that provide the basis for clinical research^21,22, which in turn approaches humans in direct or indirect interaction with the researcher, including the management of their data and/or biological material. Both research types are essential to answer questions about health promotion and the cause, prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and impact of diseases on health services and society²³.

The directionality of translational research is not so clear and has different interpretations. The one most used is the linear and unidirectional perspective (from the bench to the bedside); another model uses likewise linear but bidirectional translation (from the bench to the bedside and, sometimes, back to the bench); and, lastly, in a more complex approach, the translation process is dynamic, with various meanings¹⁸.

Furthermore, according to the United States Institute of Medicine, translational research is unidirectional and includes two areas of translation. One is the process of applying the findings of laboratory research and preclinical studies to the development of human trials and studies (T1). The second area of translation concerns research that aims to improve the adoption of best practices in the community (T2)²⁴. In a broader context, other authors approach translational research systemically (T3), demonstrating that it integrates basic research, patient oriented research (individual clinical research), and population-based research in a multidirectional approach, with the long-term goal of improving population health^25,26.

Given the above, translational research can bring a new perspective to studies involving orofacial myofunctional disorders, aiming at health promotion, prevention, diagnosis, and treatment. Research with this approach aims to apply knowledge in real life, improving the clinical application of new therapeutic concepts, directly benefitting the population²⁷. Therefore, translational research - whether unidirectional, bidirectional, or multidirectional - is of great relevance to speech-language-hearing sciences, as it helps develop studies that may not only solve the population's health problems but also influence appropriate health policies to meet the needs of patients and communities.

REFERENCES

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• Financial support: Nothing to declare

Publication Dates

• Publication in this collection
  02 Sept 2024
• Date of issue
  2024

History

• Received
  15 Jan 2024
• Reviewed
  15 Jan 2024
• Accepted
  22 Jan 2024