Body Position Effects on EMG Activity of the Temporal and Suprahyoid Muscles in Healthy Subjects and In Patients With Myogenic Cranio-cervical-mandibular Dysfunction

ABSTRACT

This study was conducted in order to determine the effects of body position on integrated electromyographic (IEMG) activity of anterior temporal and suprahyoid muscles. The study was performed on 15 patients with myogenic cranio-cervical-mandibular dysfunction (CMD) and 15 healthy subjects. IEMG recordings at rest and during swallowing of saliva and maximal voluntary clenching were performed by placing surface electrodes on the anterior temporal and suprahyoid muscles in the following body positions: standing, seated, supine, and lateral decubitus position. Insignificant changes in IEMG activity of both muscles were observed upon variations in the body position. Insignificant differences in IEMG activity were observed between patients with myogenic CMD and healthy subjects. A pattern of higher IEMG at rest and during swallowing of saliva was observed in the suprahyoid muscles than in the anterior temporal muscles, whereas during maximal clenching activity, an opposite pattern was observed. Results of the present study seem to suggest that for the anterior temporal and suprahyoid muscles there is no specific body position that could be relevant to initiate and/or to perpetuate a craniomandibular dysfunction.

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Notes on contributors

Guillermo Ormeño

Dr. Guillermo Ormeño received his Bachelor of Science degree in 1967 from the Catholic University of Chile. He is an assistant professor and member of the Neuroscience Laboratory, Faculty of Medicine, University of Chile. Dr. Ormeño is a member of the Chilean Biological Society, the Chilean Society of Physiological Sciences and the Chilean Society of Pediatrics.

Rodolfo Miralles

Dr. Rodolfo Miralles received his D.D.S. degree in 1975 from the University of Chile. He is an associate professor and member of the Oral Physiology Laboratory, Biomedical Sciences Institute, Faculty of Medicine, University of Chile. Dr. Miralles is a member of the Chilean Endodontics Society and the International Association for Dental Research. He is associate editor of the Chilean Odontology Journal.

Rosa Loyola

Dr. Rosa Loyola received her D.D.S. degree in 1998 from the University of Chile. During her work on this study, she was a research fellow of the Oral Physiology Laboratory, Biomedical Sciences Institute, Faculty of Medicine, University of Chile.

Saúl Valenzuela

Dr. Saúl Valenzuela received his D.D.S. degree in 1990 from the University of Chile. Currently, he is a staff member of the Oral Physiology Laboratory, Biomedical Sciences Institute, Faculty of Medicine, University of Chile. Dr. Valenzuela is dedicated to oral rehabilitation and is associated with several private health institutions and also is in private practice.

Hugo Santander

Dr. Hugo Santander received his D.D.S. degree in 1981 from the University of Chile. He is currently a staff member of the Oral Physiology Laboratory, Biomedical Sciences Institute, Faculty of Medicine, University of Chile. Since 1982, Dr. Santander has devoted all of his time to diagnosis and treatment of craniocervical mandibular disorders and is associated with several health institutions.

Carmen Palazzi

Dr. Carmen Palazzi received her D.D.S. degree in 1967 from the University of Chile. She is an assistant professor and a staff member of the Oral Physiology Laboratory, Biomedical Sciences Institute, Faculty of Medicine, University of Chile. Dr. Palazzi is a member of the International Association for Dental Research.

Pía Villanueva

Ms. Pia Villanueva received a degree in Speech Therapy in 1992 from the University of Chile. She is currently a research fellow of the Oral Physiology Laboratory, Biomedical Sciences Institute, Faculty of Medicine, University of Chile. Ms. Villanueva is also a current staff member of the Speech Therapist School, Faculty of Medicine, University of Chile.