Masticatory muscle activity in myotonic dystrophy patients

The aim of the study was to compare the masticatory pattern and the activity of the masticatory muscles of a group of myotonic dystrophy patients with those of a group of healthy individuals. The electromyographic (EMG) activity of the temporal and the masseter muscles was measured in the resting position, during maximal clenching, and while the patient was chewing five peanuts until swallowing. It was found that the patients had approximately 3 times less EMG activity in the masticatory muscles during maximal clenching. During chewing the patients had approximately half the activity in the anterior temporal and the masseter muscles, while the activity of the posterior temporal muscle did not differ significantly from that in healthy individuals. No differences were found in the muscle activity in the resting position or in the speed of chewing between the groups. The patients needed more time and more chewing cycles to bring the five peanuts to the swallowing threshold, but possibly this was an effect of the lower number of antagonizing teeth. Myotonic dystrophy thus influences the masticatory muscles, reducing their activity both at a maximal and a functional level.