Development of a simple method to measure masseter muscle mass

Area of Science:

• Gerontology
• Oral physiology
• Biomedical engineering

Background:

• The masseter muscle is vital for oral function, and its decline impacts overall physical health.
• Currently, no simple method exists to measure masseter muscle mass.
• Accurate measurement is essential for understanding age-related changes and functional decline.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a straightforward method for estimating masseter muscle mass.
• To validate this new estimation method against established techniques like Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI).
• To compare the estimated masseter muscle mass with overall Skeletal Muscle Mass (SMM).

Main Methods:

• A cohort of 53 elderly individuals (21 men, 32 women) participated.
• Data collected included age, sex, MRI-measured masseter muscle mass, tooth status, and SMM.
• Estimated masseter muscle mass was calculated using the formula: length × width × thickness.

Main Results:

• The developed estimation method showed a strong correlation (r=0.903) with MRI-measured masseter muscle mass.
• A moderate correlation (r=0.279) was observed between estimated masseter muscle mass and SMM, adjusted for age and sex.
• These results indicate the reliability of the proposed estimation technique.

Conclusions:

• The developed method provides a simple and valid approach for estimating masseter muscle mass.
• This technique can be a valuable tool for clinical and research settings.
• Further research can explore its application in various populations and conditions affecting muscle mass.