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CRANIO®
The Journal of Craniomandibular & Sleep Practice
Volume 31, 2013 - Issue 4
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Physical Therapy

Efficacy of Massage Treatment Technique in Masseter Muscle Hardness: Robotic Experimental Approach

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Pages 291-299 | Received 06 Aug 2012, Accepted 05 Nov 2012, Published online: 25 Apr 2014
 

Abstract

The study aimed to clarify the masseter muscle hardness in patients with myofascial pain, to examine their changes after massage, and to analyze whether the hardness can be an index for massage treatment. Sixteen patients with myofascial pain (12 with unilateral and 4 with bilateral masseter muscle pain) and 24 healthy volunteers were enrolled in this study. The masseter hardness between patients and the healthy volunteers was compared. The changes in the hardness in patients after massage were examined. The relation of the hardness with massage regimens and efficacies was analyzed. There was a significant right-and-left difference of the hardness in patients, although there was no difference in the healthy volunteers. The hardness decreased after massage. The pretreatment asymmetry index of the hardness showed a significant correlation with the massage pressure. It was concluded that there was a significant difference between the right and left masseter hardness in patients with myofascial pain. After massage treatment, the masseter hardness and right-and-left difference decreased. The hardness may be an index for determining the massage pressure.

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