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Visual input effect on EMG activity of masticatory and postural muscles in healthy and in myopic children
A Monaco1, R Cattaneo, A Spadaro
1University of L'Aquila, School of Dentistry, Italy. annalisamonaco@yahoo.it
Insights
Children with myopia showed different anterior temporal muscle activity compared to those with normal vision. This suggests vision defects may influence masticatory muscle function and tenderness.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Neurology
- Dentistry
Background:
- Defective vision, particularly myopia, may impact neuromuscular activity.
- Masticatory muscle function is complex and can be influenced by various sensory inputs.
- Understanding the interplay between vision and muscle activity is crucial for diagnosing certain conditions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the electromyographic (EMG) activity of specific facial muscles in children with myopia.
- To compare muscle activity in response to visual input changes between myopic children and a control group with normal vision.
- To explore the potential link between vision defects and masticatory muscle function.
Main Methods:
- Surface electromyography (EMG) was used to record muscle activity.
- 20 children (7-13 years) participated: 10 with myopia and 10 age-matched controls.
- EMG recordings were taken with eyes closed and eyes open.
Main Results:
- Significant differences in tonic activity of anterior temporal muscles were observed between myopic and normal-vision groups when eyes were open.
- Root Mean Square (RMS) values indicated altered muscle activation patterns in myopic children.
- Statistical analysis using the Student's T-test confirmed these differences.
Conclusions:
- Vision defects, such as myopia, may influence the tonic activity of masticatory muscles.
- Attention to vision status is recommended when assessing masticatory muscle tenderness, potentially related to headaches.
- Further research is warranted to elucidate the mechanisms linking visual deficits and muscle function.
Aim:
The purpose of this study was to evaluate the activity of Anterior Temporal, Masseter, Sternocleidomastoid and Anterior Digastric muscles in response to changes in visual input in subjects with defective vision by means surface electromyography.
Methods:
A total of 20 children, aged between 7 and 13 years, were evaluated. In the study group 10 children with myopic defects were enlisted, selected among patients afferent to the paediatric dentistry clinic. Ten subjects with normal vision, the control group, were chosen through the Pair Matching procedures, so that each myopic child had a matching age case control. Both study group and control group patients maintained mandible at rest with teeth apart and were submitted to a 15-sec electromyography (EMG) recording with closed eyes followed by a 15-sec EMG recording with open eyes.
Results/Statistics:
The Root Mean Square (RMS) values were elaborated to obtain means and standard deviation. Statistical analysis was undertaken using the Student's T-test for independent samples. Analysis of the results demonstrated a marked difference in tonic activity of temporal anterior muscles at open eyes between the myopic and the normal groups.
Conclusion:
The findings suggest that in the evaluation of masticatory muscles tenderness, such as episodic tension type headaches, attention should be paid to vision defects.
