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Masseter motor pause frequency as related to different bolus sizes
Swedish Dental Journal
|January 1, 1977
Summary
Chewing gum bolus size did not affect the frequency of motor pauses in masseter electromyography (EMG) during normal chewing in dentate subjects. This suggests bolus size is not a primary factor influencing chewing rhythm pauses.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical Engineering
- Neuroscience
- Dentistry
Background:
- Chewing is a complex motor task involving rhythmic muscle activity.
- Understanding factors influencing chewing patterns, like bolus size, is crucial for masticatory research.
- Masseter electromyography (EMG) is a key tool for analyzing jaw muscle activity during chewing.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between chewing gum bolus size and motor pauses in masseter EMG.
- To determine if varying bolus sizes alter the frequency of chewing rhythm interruptions.
Main Methods:
- Ten dentate subjects participated in the study.
- Masseter EMG activity was recorded while subjects chewed different sizes of chewing gum (1-5 tablets).
- Subjects were instructed to chew normally without specific constraints on duration or intensity.
Main Results:
- No statistically significant correlation was found between the bolus size of chewing gum and the frequency of motor pauses in the masseter EMG.
- The number of motor pauses remained consistent across the tested range of bolus sizes.
Conclusions:
- Bolus size does not appear to be a significant determinant of motor pause frequency in the masseter muscle during normal chewing.
- Further research may explore other sensory or motor factors influencing chewing rhythm and pauses.