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Published on: September 11, 2018
Enhanced sympathetic cardiac modulation in bruxism patients
Harald Marthol1, Sven Reich, Julia Jacke
1Dept. of Neurology, University of Erlangen-Nuremberg, Schwabachanlage 6, 91054 Erlangen, Germany. harald.marthol@neuro.imed.uni-erlangen.de
Summary
Sleep bruxism, characterized by teeth grinding, is linked to higher stress levels. This study found increased sympathetic cardiac activity in bruxism patients, suggesting a connection between this oral parafunction and heightened physiological stress.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Oral Medicine
- Psychophysiology
Background:
- Sleep bruxism involves involuntary teeth clenching and grinding.
- Stress is a potential contributing factor to sleep bruxism.
- Autonomic nervous system modulation plays a role in physiological stress responses.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate sympathetic cardiac activity in individuals with sleep bruxism.
- To compare cardiac autonomic modulation between bruxism patients and healthy controls.
- To explore the relationship between sleep bruxism, stress, and cardiac autonomic function.
Main Methods:
- Spectral analysis of heart rate variability was employed.
- Cardiac autonomic modulation was assessed in sleep bruxism patients.
- Results were compared against age-matched healthy volunteers.
Main Results:
- Bruxism patients exhibited significantly higher sympathetic cardiac activity compared to controls.
- The findings indicate an elevated sympathetic tone in individuals with sleep bruxism.
- Increased sympathetic activity suggests a heightened stress response.
Conclusions:
- Sleep bruxism is associated with increased sympathetic cardiac activity.
- Elevated sympathetic tone in bruxism patients may indicate heightened stress.
- Occlusal disharmonies could be a potential factor related to increased stress and bruxism.
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