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Comparative analysis of masseter muscle electrical activity by nasal patency in children with rhinitis and asthma: a
Brenda Carla Lima Araújo1,2,3, Thales Rafael Correia de Melo Lima4,5, Vanessa Tavares de Gois-Santos4,5
1Department of Speech Therapy, Pós-Graduação em Ciências da Saúde, Federal University of Sergipe-UFS, Rua Cláudio Batista, S/N. Bairro Sanatório, Aracaju, Sergipe, 49060-100, Brazil. brendaaraujo@yahoo.com.br.
Insights
This study found no significant differences in masseter muscle activity in children with rhinitis and asthma based on nasal patency. However, a moderate effect size suggests a potential link between nasal patency and muscle function requiring further investigation.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Otolaryngology
- Neuromuscular Physiology
- Respiratory Medicine
Background:
- Rhinitis and asthma are common in children, potentially affecting craniofacial development and muscle function.
- Nasal patency is crucial for proper respiratory function and may influence masticatory muscle activity.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate differences in masseter muscle electromyographic activity in children with rhinitis and asthma based on their nasal patency.
- To explore the relationship between nasal airflow and masticatory muscle function in pediatric patients.
Main Methods:
- A pilot cross-sectional study involving 43 children (aged 5-14) with rhinitis and/or asthma.
- Nasal patency assessed via peak nasal inspiratory flow (PNIF); masseter muscle electromyography performed at rest and during chewing.
- Statistical analysis included Mann-Whitney test and Glass rank biserial correlation to compare groups and assess effect sizes.
Main Results:
- No statistically significant differences were found in masseter muscle electromyographic activity at rest or during chewing between children with adequate and low nasal patency.
- A moderate effect size (rb = 0.338) was observed, suggesting a potential association between reduced nasal patency and altered masseter muscle activity during maximum contraction.
- The difference in myoelectric activity did not reach statistical significance (p=0.061) at the 5% level.
Conclusions:
- This pilot study did not find significant differences in masseter muscle electromyography based on nasal patency in children with rhinitis and asthma.
- A potential, though not statistically significant, association between nasal patency and masseter muscle function warrants further investigation.
- Larger sample sizes are recommended for future studies to confirm these preliminary findings and elucidate the impact of nasal patency on masticatory muscle function.
Purpose:
This pilot cross-sectional study aimed to evaluate differences in electromyographic activity patterns of the masseter muscle according to the nasal patency in children with rhinitis and asthma.
Methods:
The study included 43 children aged 5-14 years with rhinitis and/or asthma. Patients underwent peak nasal inspiratory flow (PNIF) measurement to assess nasal patency, and electromyographic evaluation of the right and left masseter muscles during chewing and at rest. Electromyographic activity patterns according to nasal patency were compared using the Mann-Whitney test, and effect sizes were measured using the Glass rank biserial (rb) correlation. A p-value of < 0.05 was considered statistically significant.
Results:
No significant differences in electromyographic activity of the masseter muscle at rest, during unilateral chewing, or during habitual chewing were found between the groups. However, we found that patients with low nasal patency had a median electric activity of the right masseter muscle during maximum contraction of 60.53 (51.74-72.43), while those with adequate nasal patency had a median of 77.40 (56.71-88.45). Although the difference in myoelectric activity between the groups did not reach statistical significance (p = 0.061) at the adopted significance level of 5%, the size of the difference between groups were considered moderate (rb = 0.338) and a potential association between nasal patency and the muscular function of the masseter muscle could be suggested.
Conclusion:
The study found no differences in the electromyographic activity of the masseter muscle at rest, during unilateral chewing, or during habitual chewing among children with rhinitis and asthma based on nasal patency. Further research with larger sample sizes is needed to validate these findings and gain a better understanding of the impact of nasal patency on the muscular function of the masseter muscle.
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