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Autonomic responses to tooth clenching and handgrip test.
Atte A Tapiainen1, Nina Zaproudina1,2, Jukka A Lipponen3
1Institute of Dentistry, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland.
Acta Odontologica Scandinavica
|January 22, 2022
Summary
Maximal tooth clenching and handgrip similarly affect the autonomic nervous system. Tooth clenching uniquely activates the trigeminocardiac reflex, but temporomandibular disorders can impact results.
Area of Science:
- Physiology
- Autonomic Nervous System Research
- Cardiovascular Regulation
Background:
- Autonomic nervous system (ANS) regulation is crucial for maintaining homeostasis.
- Understanding ANS responses to different physical tasks aids in diagnosing and managing various health conditions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare autonomic nervous system activation during and after maximal tooth clenching versus handgrip tests.
- To investigate the potential activation of the trigeminocardiac reflex during tooth clenching.
Main Methods:
- Compared autonomic responses (heart rate variability, heart rate, blood pressure) in 28 participants during and after maximal tooth clenching and handgrip tests.
- Evaluated participants before, during, and after each task.
- Accounted for the presence of painful temporomandibular disorders (TMD) in 14 participants.
Main Results:
- Both handgrip and tooth clenching elicited comparable autonomic responses.
- Tooth clenching appeared to activate the trigeminocardiac reflex, indicated by vagal activation.
- Painful TMD signs significantly influenced heart rate variability at baseline and during both tests.
Conclusions:
- Both handgrip and tooth clenching modulate autonomic nervous system function.
- Tooth clenching presents a distinct ANS activation pattern compared to handgrip, likely due to the trigeminocardiac reflex.
- The influence of painful TMD on autonomic response measurements may be underestimated in research.
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