Reliability of surface electromyography of the masseteric and anterior temporal areas

doi:10.1016/0003-9969(90)90098-U

Archives of Oral Biology

Volume 35, Issue 9, 1990, Pages 747-751

https://doi.org/10.1016/0003-9969(90)90098-U Get rights and content

Abstract

This was studied in 37 patients suffering from myofascial pain-dysfunction. Bipolar surface electrodes were used to record tonic, resting EMG activity for 2 consecutive trials. This protocol was repeated at a second recording session 2 weeks later. A custom-made, plastic template was constructed for each subject during the first visit in order to relocate the electrodes accurately at the second recording session. Correlation coefficients were calculated for each muscle area. Within-session (same day) r values ranged from 0.7620 to 0.8884 for the masseteric area and from 0.8686 to 0.9109 for the anterior temporal area. Across-session (different day) r values ranged from 0.5645 to 0.6503 for the masseteric area and 0.3309 to 0.4844 for the anterior temporal area. The lower correlation between different day recordings could reflect a methodological shortcoming in relocating the electrodes, particularly on the anterior temporal area. The greater variability recorded from the anterior temporal area could also reflect the dynamic role of the temporalis muscle in maintaining the postural rest position of the mandible.

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Cited by (42)

Coordination of the non-paretic leg during hemiparetic gait: Expected and novel compensatory patterns
2012, Clinical Biomechanics
Citation Excerpt :
Nonetheless, we present the P-values to allow the reader to assess the strength of evidence for the changes observed in the coordination of the non-paretic leg. Another limitation is that absolute magnitude of EMG (in μV) recorded via surface electrodes is influenced by several intrinsic (thickness of sub-cutaneous fat, distribution of motor units etc.) and extrinsic factors (location and area of the electrode and distance between them), and thus is limited in its ability to provide strong evidence for changes in the magnitude of muscle activity between subjects (Burdette and Gale, 1990; Farina, 2006). Nevertheless, we believe that despite the limitations, integrated absolute EMG provides evidence for increased activity that is confirmatory of the increased propulsion generation typically measured in the non-paretic leg (Bowden et al., 2006; Kim and Eng, 2004; Olney et al., 1991) and it is also useful when interpreted in the context of the increased duration of activity observed for many muscles.
Post-stroke hemiparesis is usually considered a unilateral motor control deficit of the paretic leg, while the non-paretic leg is assumed to compensate for paretic leg impairments and have minimal to no deficits. While the non-paretic leg electromyography (EMG) patterns are clearly altered, how the non-paretic leg acts to compensate remains to be established.
Kinesiological data were recorded from sixty individuals with chronic hemiparesis (age: 60.9, SD = 12.6 years, 21 females, 28 right hemiparetic, time since stroke: 4.5 years, SD 3.9 years), divided into three speed-based groups, and twenty similarly aged healthy individuals (age: 65.1, SD = 10.4 years, 15 females). All walked on an instrumented split-belt treadmill at their self-selected speed and control subjects also walked at slower speeds matching those of the persons with hemiparesis. We determined the differences in magnitude and timing of non-paretic EMG activity relative to healthy control subjects in four pre-defined regions of stance phase of the gait cycle.
Integrated EMG activity and EMG timing in the non-paretic leg were different in many muscles. Multiple compensatory patterns identified included: increased EMG output when the muscle was typically active in controls and novel compensatory EMG patterns that appeared to provide greater propulsion or support with little evidence of impaired motor performance.
Most novel compensations were made possible by altered kinematics of the paretic and non-paretic leg (i.e., early stance plantarflexor activity provided propulsion due to the decreased advancement of the non-paretic foot) while others (late single limb stance knee extensor and late stance hamstring activity) appeared to be available mechanisms for increasing propulsion.
Influence of different upper cervical positions on electromyography activity of the masticatory muscles
2012, Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics
Citation Excerpt :
The diameter of each of the 2 circular conductive areas was 1 cm, with an interelectrode distance of 2 cm. Despite the influence of factors including changes in head and body posture, skin resistance, temperature and humidity, as well as muscle fatigue, emotional factors, topographical location of the electrodes over the muscle area, and the removing and replacing of the electrodes on the reliability and reproducibility of surface EMG,28,29 several studies have reported good to excellent reliability and reproducibility for this technique.30-32 For the measurement of mandibular excursions, subjects sat in a chair at approximately a 90° angle to the examiner with the jaw muscles in a passive state.
The aim of this study was to determine the activity of the masseter and anterior temporalis muscles in relation to different positions of the upper cervical spine during maximal voluntary isometric clenching by surface electromyography (EMG).
This was a cross-sectional study with a repeated-measures design performed using 25 asymptomatic subjects (13 female and 12 male; mean age, 31 years; SD, 8.51). The EMG activity of the masseter and anterior temporalis muscles was recorded bilaterally during maximal clenching at neutral position and during extension, flexion, ipsilateral lateral flexion, contralateral lateral flexion, and ipsilateral and contralateral rotations in maximal flexion. In addition, the upper cervical range of motion and mandibular excursions were assessed.
The EMG activity data were analyzed using a 3-way analysis of variance in which the factors considered were upper cervical position, sex (male and female), and side (right and left), and the hypothesis of importance was the interaction side x position.
The 3-way analysis of variance detected statistically significant differences between the several upper cervical positions (F = 13.724; P < .001) but found no significant differences for sex (F = 0.202; P = .658) or side (F = 0.86; P = .53) regarding EMG activity of the masseter muscle. Significant differences were likewise observed for interaction side x position for the masseter muscle (F = 12.726; P < .001). The analysis of the EMG activity of anterior temporalis muscle did not produce statistically significant differences (P > .05).
This preliminary study suggests that the upper cervical movements influence the surface EMG activity of the masseter muscle. These findings support a model in which there are interaction between the craniocervical and the craniomandibular system.
Electrical activity of the anterior temporal and masseter muscles in mouth and nasal breathing children
2008, Brazilian Journal of Otorhinolaryngology
Mouth breathing has been associated with severe impact on the development of the stomatognathic system.
This paper aims to analyze the electromyographical findings and patterns of electrical activity of the anterior temporal and masseter muscles in mouth and nasal breathing children.
The patients were divided into two groups: mouth breathers (n=17) and nasal breathers (n=12). The children underwent bilateral electromyographic examination of the anterior temporal and masseter muscles at maximal intercuspal position and during usual mastication. A Myosystem Br-1 electromyograph with 12 acquisition channels, amplification with total gain of 5938, rate of acquisition of 4000 Hz, and band-pass filter of 20-1000Hz, was used in the examination. The signal was processed in Root Mean Square(RMS), measured in µV, analyzed and expressed as a normalized percentage. The data set was statistically treated with the T-test (Student).
The observed level of electrical activity in the mouth breathing (MB) group was lower in all analyzed muscles, with statistical significance found only in the left temporal muscle; during mastication, mouth breathers also presented increased electrical activity on the right side and on the temporal muscle.
Mouth breathing impacts the electrical activity of the muscles studied at maximal intercuspal position and during usual mastication.
The clinical usefulness of surface electromyography in the diagnosis and treatment of temporomandibular disorders
2006, Journal of the American Dental Association
Citation Excerpt :
It is possible that the displacement could alter the SEMG recordings significantly, thus resulting in different conclusions about the muscle activity. Burdette and Gale81 found that SEMG recordings were altered significantly with changes to IED, even though they tried to reliably relocate the surface electrodes with a custom-made template. Other researchers found that alteration to the IED created a greater variation in surface recordings from the deeper layers of the muscle fibers (masseter) than from the superficial layers (anterior temporal),82,83 implying that for accurate measurement of different muscles, IED must be individualized depending on the depth of the fibers.
This article presents a comprehensive review of the recent literature regarding the scientific support for the use of surface electromyography (SEMG) in diagnosing and treating temporomandibular disorders (TMDs).
The authors conducted a Medline search involving human studies using the key words “surface electromyography or electromyography” and “masticatory muscles or temporomandibular disorders or craniomandibular disorders.” They also reviewed relevant articles regarding the clinical usefulness of SEMG based on reliability, validity, sensitivity and specificity, as well as additional references included in some of the articles.
The clinical use of SEMG in the diagnosis and treatment of TMD is of limited value when one considers reliability, validity, sensitivity and specificity as measurement standards. SEMG does not appear to contribute any additional information beyond what can be obtained from the patient history, clinical examination and, if needed, appropriate imaging.
Clinically, the determination of the presence or absence of TMD does not appear to be enhanced by the use of SEMG. However, the modality may be useful in a meticulously controlled research setting.
SEMG has limited value in the detection or management of TMD and in some instances may lead to unnecessary dental therapy as a solution for those disorders.
Masticatory muscle activity assessment and reliability of a portable electromyographic instrument
2001, Journal of Prosthetic Dentistry
Citation Excerpt :
As expected, these subjects also showed significant differences between left- and right-sided EMG recordings with unilateral, right-sided only chewing activity. The level of reliability of the portable EMG integrator is similar to the values found in other studies with other portable EMG recording equipment in a controlled laboratory environment.7,10,11 After completion of the last phase of data collection in this investigation, several of the portable EMG units began to spontaneously accumulate EMG activity during a period of no muscle activity.
Statement of Problem. Masticatory muscle hyperactivity is thought to produce muscle pain and tension headaches and can cause excessive wear or breakage of restorative dental materials used in the treatment of prosthodontic patients. The quantification and identification of this type of activity is an important consideration in the preoperative diagnosis and treatment planning phase of prosthodontic care. Purpose. This study investigated the quantification process in complete denture/overdenture patients with natural mandibular tooth abutments and explored the reliability of instrumentation used to assess this parafunctional activity. Material and Methods. The nocturnal EMG activity in asymptomatic complete denture/overdenture subjects was assessed with and without prostheses worn during sleep. Because of the large variance within and between subjects, the investigators evaluated the reliability of the 3 instruments used to test nocturnal EMG activity in the sample. Results. Electromyographic activity data of denture/overdenture subjects revealed no differences between prostheses worn versus not worn during sleep but demonstrated a very large variance factor. Further investigation of the instrumentation demonstrated a consistent in vitro as well as in vivo reliability in controlled laboratory studies. Conclusion. The portable EMG instrumentation used in this study revealed a large, uncontrollable variance factor within and between subjects that greatly complicated the diagnosis of parafunctional activity in prosthodontic patients. (J Prosthet Dent 2001;85:252-60.)
Role of Electromyography in Dental Research: A Review
2023, Journal of Research in Dental and Maxillofacial Sciences

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Reliability of surface electromyography of the masseteric and anterior temporal areas

Abstract

Am. J. Orthod.

Archs oral Biol.

Am. J. Orthod.

J. prosthet. Dent.

J. Am. dent. Ass.

Am. J. Orthod.

J. prosthet. Dent.

J. prosthet. Dent.

J. prosthet. Dent.

J. prosthet. Dent.

An approach to quantitative electromyography of the masseter muscle

J. dent. Res.

Instruction Manual for the Autogen 1500c

Analysis of forces at the temporo-mandibular joint during function

Dent. Practit.

The effects of treatment on masticatory muscle activity and mandibular posture in myofascial pain-dysfunction patients

J. dent. Res.

Electromyographic activity of masticatory muscles of MPD patients during opening

J. dent. Res.