This Article Full Text (PDF) References Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Citation Map Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Add to Saved Citations Download to citation manager Request Permissions Request Reprints Add to My Marked Citations Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via Google Scholar Citing Articles via Scopus Google Scholar Articles by Lindauer, S.J. Articles by Rendell, J. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Lindauer, S.J. Articles by Rendell, J. Social Bookmarking                         What's this?

Electromyographic-force Characteristics in the Assessment of Oral Function

Department of Orthodontics, Medical College of Virginia School of Dentistry, Box 566, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia 23298

T. Gay

Department of Biostructure and Function, Uniuersity of Connecticut Health Center, Farmington, Connecticut 06032

J. Rendell

Department of Biostructure and Function, Uniuersity of Connecticut Health Center, Farmington, Connecticut 06032

The purpose of this investigation was to examine the utility of EMG-force characteristics as reliable and valid parameters by which to assess oral function. Masseter-muscle activity was recorded during controlled isometric biting exercises performed at various bite openings and force levels on two separate occasions. Measured muscle-activity levels, as well as the EMG-force characteristics of slope and y-intercept, were compared between bite openings and experimental trials. Sensitivity, assessed as the ability to detect statistically significant differences in muscle function due to changes in muscle length, was found to be acceptable for all measurements, except the y-intercept parameter, and during production of minimal forces. Reproducibility, evaluated as the correspondence between values recorded at different experimental sessions, was best for the EMG-force parameter of slope and during production of higher forces. The results from this study support the following conclusions : (1) Substantial variations in muscle function exist between individuals; (2) acceptable reliability and sensitivity of quantitative EMG values can be achieved, especially at higher muscle-activity levels, by rigidly controlling and quantifying functional activities during experimental trials; (3) the slope of an EMG-force curve is a reproducible, quantitative, and functionally sensitive measurement for assessment of muscle function; and (4) the EMG-force y-intercept is not a reliable quantity by which muscle-function characteristics may be studied.

Journal of Dental Research, Vol. 70, No. 11, 1417-1421 (1991)
DOI: 10.1177/00220345910700110401


CiteULike    Complore    Connotea    Del.icio.us    Digg    Reddit    Technorati    Twitter    What's this?

This article has been cited by other articles:

				R. Gonzalez, I. Montoya, and J. Carcel Review: the Use of Electromyography on Food Texture Assessment Food Science and Technology International, December 1, 2001; 7(6): 461 - 471. [Abstract] [PDF]

				A. Woda, P. Pionchon, and S. Palla Regulation of Mandibular Postures: Mechanisms and Clinical Implications Critical Reviews in Oral Biology & Medicine, January 1, 2001; 12(2): 166 - 178. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				L.L. Fogle and A.G. Glaros Contributions of Facial Morphology, Age, and Gender to EMG Activity Under Biting and Resting Conditions: A Canonical Correlation Analysis Journal of Dental Research, August 1, 1995; 74(8): 1496 - 1500. [Abstract] [PDF]

				J. Mao and J.W. Osborn Direction of a Bite Force Determines the Pattern of Activity in Jaw-closing Muscles Journal of Dental Research, May 1, 1994; 73(5): 1112 - 1120. [Abstract] [PDF]

				S.J. Lindauer, T. Gay, and J. Rendell Effect of Jaw Opening on Masticatory Muscle EMG-Force Characteristics Journal of Dental Research, January 1, 1993; 72(1): 51 - 55. [Abstract] [PDF]