[Orofacial alterations and surface electromyography in neurodevelopmental disorders]

Surface electromyography has become a widely used technique for measuring the activity of different muscle groups. Although the reliability and validity of the technique are discussed, there is an important body of scientific literature that defends the use of this technique.

To present through a case study, the two basic uses of surface electromyography: the measurement of orofacial muscular activity and use it as biofeedback modulator of the muscular activity itself.

A 10 years-old girl with a dolichocephalic and prognosis facial profile, anterior open bite and bilateral cross bite, bilateral Angle class II occlusion and atypical swallowing with lingual interposition. The MioTool Face by Miotec Suite 1.0, it could use until 8-channel bipolar surface electromyography. Surface electrodes were placed in the orofacial musculature and the results obtained were measured and visualized through the software Miograph and Biotrainer.

The results confirm those obtained through the clinical exploration of the patient and support the use of these measurements for the estimation and validation of mechanical models of the masticatory and swallowing system. Electromyographic biofeedback is shown as an effective technique to self-control the force performed in key muscle groups by performing primary activities such as chewing and swallowing.