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EMG Indices in TMJ Disorder Patients: Insights From a Cross-Sectional Study
Junaid Ahmed1, Nandita Shenoy1, Anwesha Saha1
1Department of Oral Medicine and Radiology, Manipal College of Dental Sciences Mangalore, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, India, manipal.edu.
Background:
Temporomandibular disorders (TMDs) are a major public health concern, with masticatory muscle pain being the most prevalent type. Recent studies have increasingly highlighted the use of surface electromyography (sEMG) as an effective diagnostic tool for identifying muscle dysfunctions associated with TMDs. The objective of this study was to compare the electrical activity of the muscles of mastication and correlate it with chewing disability and the severity of signs and symptoms of TMDs.
Materials And Methods:
A total of 28 individuals (n = 22 women and n = 6 men) with the painful muscular form of TMDs were recruited alongside a numerically and gender-matched control group-healthy, pain-free controls. Electromyography (EMG) of the masseter and temporalis muscles was conducted on randomly recruited patients, and the symptoms of TMDs were assessed via a visual analog scale (VAS), the ProTMD multipart II questionnaire, and a chewing ability questionnaire. The results were analyzed via descriptive statistics, independent t-tests, Pearson correlation coefficients, and forward stepwise linear regression analysis.
Results:
This study revealed significant findings regarding chewing ability and the severity of signs and symptoms associated with TMDs via the ProTMD multipart II questionnaire. The VAS scores for TMDs and mouth opening were significantly different (p < 0.001). The electromyographic (EMG) activity of the muscles was significant at rest for both the left masseter and temporalis muscles. When comparing the case and control groups, significant differences were observed in chewing ability, severity of TMD signs and symptoms, VAS scores, and mouth opening (p < 0.001). Additionally, sEMG demonstrated significant muscular activity at rest for the left masseter and left temporalis muscles.
Conclusion:
The sEMG protocol and questionnaire related to the chewing ability and severity of TMD are useful for evaluating patients with TMDs and their impact on the stomatognathic system.
