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ABSTRACT
This study was aimed at evaluating the effects of a novel physiotherapy machine called MAGMA (AntiGravitary Modification of the Myotensions of Asset) on postural and masticatory muscles of subjects with myogenic cranio-cervical-mandibular dysfunction (CMD), by using surface electromyography (sEMG). Fifteen subjects, nine males and six females (mean age 27.6 years), with CMD were included in the study. The bilaterally monitored muscles were: masseter, anterior and posterior temporalis, digastric, posterior cervical, sternocleidomastoid, and upper and lower trapezius. All muscles were monitored at rest, with a second record of maximal voluntary clenching (MVC) for both the masseter and anterior temporalis. Patients were subjected to MAGMA therapy for one session/week of 30 min over ten weeks. The surface EMG activity was recorded twice, at the baseline and at the end of the therapy. After MAGMA therapy, the sEMG activity at rest of the monitored muscles was significantly better when compared to the baseline; the only exception was the anterior and posterior temporalis muscles which did not improve. On the contrary, with the MVC, all the monitored muscles (masseter and anterior temporalis) significantly improved their sEMG activity. Although more investigations are needed, these results indicate that the use of such antigravitary therapy can provide a tool for resolving myogenic CMD.
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Notes on contributors
Michele D'Attilio
Dr. Michele D'Attilio received his D.D.S. degree in 1987 from the School of Dentistry, University of L'Aquila, Italy. Since 2000, he has been a researcher in the Department of Orthodontics, University of Chieti. Since 2000, he has been the Chairman of the Orthodontics I Department at the same faculty. He has written many clinical and research articles.
Silvio Di Meo
Dr. Silvio Di Meo received his D.D.S. degree in 2001 at the University of Chieti, Italy. He is currently a staff member of the Department of Orthodontics and Gnathology, School of Dentistry at the University of Chieti, Italy.
Giuseppe Perinetti
Dr. Giuseppe Perinetti received his D.D.S. degree in 2000 at the University of Chieti, Italy. He is currently a staff member of the Department of Orthodontics and Gnathology, School of Dentistry at the University of Chieti.
Maria Rita Filippi
Dr. Maria Rita Filippi received her M.D. degree in 1992 at the University of Chieti, Italy. She is currently a staff member of the Department of Orthodontics and Gnathology, School of Dentistry at the University of Chieti.
Simona Tecco
Dr. Simona Tecco received his D.D.S. degree in 1999 at te University of Chieti, Italy. Currently, he is a staff member of the Department of Orthodontics and Gnathology, School of Dentistry at the University of Chieti.
Francesco D'Alconzo
Dr. Francesco D'Alconzo received his D.D.S. degree in 1998 at the University of Chieti, Italy. He is currently a staff member of the Department of Orthodontics and Gnathology, School of Dentistry at the University of Chieti.
Felice Festa
Professor Felice Festa received his M.D. degree at the University of Rome in 1979, a D.D.S. degree at the same school in 1982, and earned an M.S. in Orthodontics in 1985 at the University of Cagliari. He is director of the Department of Orthodontics and Gnathology, School of Dentistry and a Full Professor in Orthodontics at the University of Chieti, Italy. He is also Director of the Post Graduate Courses in Clinical Gnathology and Orthodontics at the same university. In 2001 he was nominated National Referee Professor in Orthodontics at the Professor National College. Dr. Festa has written many clinical and research articles.