Electromyographic Activity of Anterior Temporal Area Pain Patients and Non-pain Subjects

Abstract

Anterior temporal area and non-specific facial muscle activity were recorded from 11 patients with unilateral anterior temporal area muscle pain and from 11 matched asymptomatic individuals at various mandibular openings. No significant differences were observed (1) in temporal area EMG activity between pain and non-pain sides and (2) between temporal area and non-specific facial muscle EMG activity between patient and non-patient groups.

In relation to increased vertical mandibular opening from centric occlusion: (a) anterior temporal area EMG activity decreased to a minimum level (with further opening, anterior temporal area EMG did not significantly change); and (b) non-specific facial muscle EMG activity decreased to a minimum level (with further opening, non-specific facial muscle EMG increased).

Get full access to this article

View all access options for this article.

References

Bakal, D. and Kaganov, J. (1977): Muscle Contraction and Migraine Headache: Psychophysiological Comparison, Headache 17:208-215.

Berlin, R. and Dessner, L. (1960): Bruxism and Chronic Headache, Lancet August 6:289-291.

Christensen, L.V. (1971): Facial Pain and Internal Pressure of Masseter Muscle in Experimental Bruxism in Man, Arch Oral Biol 16:1021-1031.

Christensen, L.V. (1981): Progressive Jaw Muscle Fatigue of Experimental Tooth Clenching in Man, J Oral Rehabil 8:1-8.

Christensen, L.V. (1980): Some Subjective Experimental Parameters of Experimental Tooth Clenching in Children, J Oral Rehabil 7:205-213.

Franks, A.S.T. (1965): Masticatory Muscle Hyperactivity and Temporomandibular Joint Dysfunction, J Prosthet Dent 15: 1122-1131.

Garnick, J. and Ramfjord, S.P. (1962): Rest Position: An Electromyographic and Clinical Investigation, J Prosthet Dent 12:895-911.

Hoogmartens, M.J. ; Stucyk, J. , ; Bockx, E. ; Cheng, N. ; Jacobs, G. ; Nigs, J. ; Vanderfaeille, J. ; Vanhoff, H. ; and Wouters, F. (1980): Stretch Sensitivity of Primary Spindle Endings in Masseter and Temporalis Muscles: Lateralization and Association with Unilateral Preference Pattern of Mastication, Electromyogr Clin Neurophysiol 20:369-381.

Latif, A. (1957): An Electromyographic Study of the Temporalis Muscle in Normal Persons During Selected Positions and Movements of the Mandible , Am J Orthod 43:577-591.

10.

Malmo, R.B. and Shagass, C. (1949): Physiologic Study of Symptom Mechanisms in Psychiatric Patients Under Stress, Psychosom Med 11:25-29.

11.

Malmo, R.B. ; Shagass, C. ; and Davis, F.H. (1949): Specificity of Bodily Reactions Under Stress, Assoc Res Ner Ment Dis 29: 231-261.

12.

Manns, A. ; Miralles, R. ; and Palazzi, C. (1979): EMG, Bite Force, and Elongation of the Masseter Muscle Under Isometric Voluntary Contractions and Variations of Vertical Dimension , J Prosthet Dent 42:674-682.

13.

Martin, P.R. and Mathews, A.M. (1978): Tension Headaches: Psychophysiological Investigation and Treatment, J Psychosom Res 22:389-399.

14.

Moyers, R.E. (1950): An Electromyographic Analysis of Certain Muscles Involved in Temporomandibular Movement, Am J Orthod 36:481-515.

15.

Moyers, R.E. (1949): Temporomandibular Muscle Contraction Patterns in Angle Class II, Division I Malocclusions: An Electromyographic Analysis , Am J Orthod 35:837-857.

16.

Myers, D.E. and McCall, W.D. (1983): Head Pain as a Result of Experimental Ischemic Exercise of the Temporalis Muscle, Headache 23:113-116.

17.

Park, S.R. and Rodbard, S. (1962): Effects of Load and Duration of Tension on Pain Induced by Muscular Contraction, Am J Physiol 203 :735-738.

18.

Ramfjord, S.P. (1961): Bruxism, A Clinical and Electromyographic Study , JADA 62:21-44.

19.

Rodbard, S. (1970): Pain Associated with Muscle Contraction, Headache 10:105-115.

20.

Rugh, J.D. and Drago, C.J. (1981): Vertical Dimension: A Study of Clinical Rest Position and Jaw Muscle Activity, J Prosthet Dent 45:670-675.

21.

Sutton, E. and Belar, C. (1982): Tension Headache Patients Versus Controls: A Study of EMG Parameters, Headache 22: 133-136.

22.

Yemm, R. (1961): A Comparison of the Electrical Activity of Masseter and Temporal Muscles of Human Subjects During Experimental Stress, Arch Oral Biol 16:269-273.

23.

Yemm, R. (1971): Comparison of the Activity of Left and Right Masseter Muscles of Normal Individuals and Patients with Mandibular Dysfunction During Experimental Stress, J Dent Res 50:1320-1323.