Replicability of electromyographic recordings of the masseter muscle during mastication

This study evaluates the reliability of a method to duplicate the location of surface electrodes for recording the electromyographic activity of masseter muscles during mastication and quantifying the activity by a microcomputer system. A plastic framework consisting of a bite fork and electrode positioners was used to place the electrodes by relating the positioners to an occlusal index and keeping this relationship constant at subsequent sittings. EMG recordings were repeated on two different days for each of 10 subjects while they performed standardized masticatory performance tests with peanuts and carrots. The muscle activity recorded with hardware integrators was an average of 26.7% of the computerized software integrations but measures derived from the two methods of integration were highly correlated (r = 0.965) and yielded similar results. Significant correlations were found between test sessions for each measure of masticatory performance and integrated EMG activity for ipsilateral and contralateral muscles. For each subject, no significant differences were found between sessions for any masticatory performance or EMG variable. The results indicate that reliable inter session EMG recordings during mastication can be made by using the template for positioning of the electrodes. In addition, the microcomputer data acquisition system provides results comparable to those obtained with conventional hardware integrators, with the added benefit of providing information on each individual stroke and its various components.