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Biomedical subjects

M Naeije

Publications and source records attributed to M Naeije.

At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources

Evaluation of a technique for recording temporomandibular joint sounds.

Analysis of temporomandibular joints sounds may contribute to the differential diagnosis of temporomandibular joint disorders. In this article an advanced system for the recording of joint sounds is presented. The method proved to be reliable. The problem of filtering out artifacts has been solved to a great extent but not completely. Temporomandibular joint sounds measured with this technique vary considerably in energy, frequency spectrum, and peak-to-peak amplitude over 3 months, as well as within 1 day. These differences seem to reflect natural variations in joint sounds caused by the physical impossibility of performing identical jaw movements. The results indicate that joint sound characteristics do not yet offer a solid basis for inferences concerning the development of temporomandibular joint abnormalities in the clinical setting.

Adolescent↗

Masticatory muscle activity in different jaw relations during submaximal clenching efforts.

The EMG activities of the masseter muscles and the anterior and posterior parts of the temporalis muscles were investigated in different vertical and sagittal jaw relations. Surface EMG recordings were made. Relative muscle activities were quantified by means of the Activity Index and the Asymmetry Index. Ten subjects with a healthy masticatory system were asked to clench at 10% and 50% of their maximum voluntary clenching level. Registrations were made during clenching in the intercuspal position, on a thin stabilization splint (SSP, 1-2 mm increase of vertical dimension at first molar), on a thick stabilization splint (3 mm thicker at the incisal edge relative to SSP), and on a protrusive re-positioning splint (3 mm protrusive to SSP). The masseter EMG amplitudes were the same for all the jaw positions investigated. However, at the 10% clenching level, the temporalis muscle activity decreased after the vertical dimension was raised and decreased further after the mandible was protrusively positioned (p less than 0.01). An independent function for the posterior and the anterior parts of the temporalis muscle was not found in any of the intermaxillary jaw relations investigated. At the 50% clenching level, a decrease in anterior temporalis muscle activity was observed only with the protrusive position in relation to the other three positions. Also at this level, the index relating the activity of the anterior to that of the posterior part of the temporalis muscle was not different between jaw positions. Raising the vertical dimension and protrusive positioning of the mandible decrease the activity of the temporalis muscles. This may be a factor related to the therapeutic effect of the stabilization splint in the treatment of craniomandibular disorder patients.

Adult↗

Recovery of the human biceps electromyogram after heavy eccentric, concentric or isometric exercise.

Five men performed submaximal isometric, concentric or eccentric contractions until exhaustion with the left arm elbow flexors at respectively 50%, 40% and 40% of the prefatigued maximal voluntary contraction force (MVC). Subsequently, and at regular intervals, the surface electromyogram (EMG) during 30-s isometric test contractions at 40% of the prefatigued MVC and the muscle performance parameters (MVC and the endurance time of an isometric endurance test at 40% prefatigued MVC) were recorded. Large differences in the surface EMG response were found after isometric or concentric exercise on the one hand and eccentric exercise on the other. Eccentric exercise evoked in two of the three EMG parameters [the EMG amplitude (root mean square) and the rate of shift of the EMG mean power frequency (MPF)] the greatest (P less than 0.001) and longest lasting (up to 7 days) response. The EMG response after isometric or concentric exercise was smaller and of shorter duration (1-2 days). The third EMG parameter, the initial MPF, had already returned to its prefatigued value at the time of the first measurement, 0.75 h after exercise. The responses of EMG amplitude and of rate of MPF shift were similar to the responses observed in the muscle performance parameters (MVC and the endurance time). Complaints of muscle soreness were most frequent and severe after the eccentric contractions. Thus, eccentric exercise evoked the greatest and longest lasting response both in the surface EMG signal and in the muscle performance parameters.

Adult↗

Short-term effect of the stabilization appliance on masticatory muscle activity in myogenous craniomandibular disorder patients.

The short-term effect (4 to 6 weeks) of a stabilization appliance on masticatory muscle activity was investigated in 26 myogenous craniomandibular disorder patients. The patients were instructed to clench at 10% and 50% of their maximum clenching effort in the intercuspal position and on the appliance. Recordings were made before and immediately after appliance delivery, and 2 and 4 weeks after delivery. The average EMG activity of the masseter muscles remained the same during the period of appliance use, whereas the anterior temporal muscles showed an immediate and long-lasting reduction in activity. The appliance also resulted in an improvement in the balance of left and right masseter muscle activity. There was a minor improvement in temporal muscle symmetry at the 50% clenching level and after 4 weeks of appliance use.

Adolescent↗

Craniomandibular stiffness toward maximum mouth opening in healthy subjects: a clinical and experimental investigation.

A new technique for measuring craniomandibular stiffness during mouth opening to the border position was tested. A small force transducer and a jaw tracking device were used to calculate the stiffness in a healthy group of male and female students. Simultaneous EMG recordings were taken from the masticatory muscles to observe the EMG activity during the experimental tests. The craniomandibular stiffness curves of the male group exhibited a stiffer behavior than those of the female group (P less than 0.05). The clinically obtained "endfeel" distance exhibited a significant correlation with different stiffness sections in the stiffness curves (P less than 0.05). Enhanced muscular involvement during mouth opening to the border position was shown as an increase in the clinical endfeel distance.

Electromyography↗

The immediate effects of a stabilization splint on the muscular symmetry in the masseter and anterior temporal muscles of patients with a craniomandibular disorder.

In 36 myogenous craniomandibular disorder patients, the immediate effects of a stabilization splint on the symmetry in the activities of the masseter and anterior temporal muscles during submaximal clenching at five clenching levels were investigated electromyographically. After the adjustment of the splint necessary at the time of delivery, 20 splints remained free from occlusal interferences throughout the treatment period and thus needed no further adjustment. These splints caused an immediate improvement in masseter muscle symmetry at the time of delivery (p less than 0.01). However, 16 splints needed further adjustment for occlusal interferences at the first recall, 2 weeks after delivery of the splint. These splints resulted in a small but statistically significant worsening in masseter muscle symmetry at the 10% clenching level (p less than 0.01). No such response was found for temporal muscle activity. The immediate changes in masseter muscle activity suggest that muscular symmetry is an objective basis in the evaluation of the treatment provided.

Adult↗

Electromyographic activity of the human masticatory muscles during submaximal clenching in the inter-cuspal position.

The activity patterns of the masseter and the anterior temporal muscles were studied in twenty-one healthy male subjects while clenching at 10, 20, 30, 40 and 50% of the maximum clenching level. At low clenching levels the temporal muscle activity tended to dominate, at high levels the masseter muscle activity was stronger (P less than 0.001). The asymmetry in muscle activity also depended upon the clenching level (P less than 0.001), while at each level the masseter muscle asymmetry was greater than the temporal muscle asymmetry (P less than 0.05-P less than 0.025). By comparing the electromyographic activities of the left and right side within each subject it was found that the masseter muscle with the higher electromyographic activity tended to have the larger cross-sectional area (P less than 0.01) and at the 50% clenching level it tended to be on the side with the greater number of post-canine tooth contacts (P less than 0.001).

Adult↗

The immediate effect of splint-induced changes in jaw positioning on the asymmetry of submaximal masticatory muscle activity.

Maxillary full-arch splints in the retruded position (RP) and in a right lateral occlusion (1.0-1.5 mm to the right of the retruded contact position) were fabricated for ten subjects. Surface electromyography of the masseter and anterior temporal muscles was performed during submaximal clenching in order to investigate the immediate effects of the splints on the activity patterns of these muscles relative to the patterns found with the subjects occlusion in the inter-cuspal position. The splints in the RP were found to have no effect on the asymmetry of the activity of the masseter and the anterior temporal muscles, while the splints in a right lateral occlusion resulted in relative increases in right anterior temporal muscle activity (P less than 0.005).

Adult↗

Short-term effect of a stabilization splint on the asymmetry of submaximal masticatory muscle activity.

Ten healthy subjects continuously wore equilibrated maxillary full-arch stabilization splints in the retruded position for 7 days. The muscular activity balance of the masseter muscles during submaximal isometric clenching at 10% and 50% of the maximum voluntary contraction (MVC) did not change immediately on insertion of the splint, but was improved at the 50% level after 7 days (P less than 0.05). While the muscular balance of the anterior temporal muscles was not affected, either immediately on splint insertion, or after wearing it for 7 days, temporal muscle activity at 10% of the MVC was greater on the side to which the mandible moved from the retruded contact position (RCP) to the inter-cuspal position (ICP), both before (P less than 0.025) and after (P less than 0.01) wearing the splint. Splint removal after 7 days resulted in increased awareness of interferences in the ICP and increases in masseter muscle asymmetry (10%, P less than 0.025; 50%, P less than 0.05) when the electromyograms in the ICP after splint removal were compared with those on the stabilization splint before removal. After wearing the splint, the masseter muscle activity at the 10% level was greater on the side where premature contacts were present in the RCP (P less than 0.01). The use of masticatory muscle asymmetry indices in the evaluation of splint treatment for craniomandibular dysfunction is indicated since submaximal masticatory muscle activity is related to occlusal stability, premature contacts in the RCP and the direction of lateral slides from the RCP to the ICP.

Adaptation, Physiological↗

Balance in masticatory muscle activity during natural chewing and submaximal clenching.

The balance in the electromyographic (EMG) activities of the left and the right masseter and the left and right anterior temporal muscles during chewing and during submaximal clenching at 10% and 50% of the maximum voluntary contraction in the inter-cuspal position was investigated in twenty healthy adults. Muscular asymmetry patterns during chewing and clenching were positively correlated for both pairs of masticatory muscles investigated at the 50% level (P less than 0.01-P less than 0.001) and for the masseter muscles, also at the 10% level (P less than 0.01). Stronger correlations in muscular asymmetry were found for the masseter muscles and at the higher submaximal clenching level. In general, the masseter muscles displayed a greater degree of asymmetric activity than the anterior temporal muscles during both chewing and clenching (0.05 less than P less than 0.1-P less than 0.025). The average EMG amplitudes of both masseter or both anterior temporal muscles within each subject showed no correlation between clenching and chewing. The correlations between muscular asymmetries observed during static (clenching) and dynamic (chewing) conditions suggest that there are common factors influencing these activities.

Adult↗

Recovery following exhaustive dynamic exercise in the human biceps muscle.

The aim of the study was to investigate the recovery of the maximum voluntary contraction force (MVC), the endurance time and electromyographical (EMG) parameters following exhaustive dynamic exercise of the m. biceps brachii. EMG recordings were made in ten healthy subjects using bipolar surface electrodes placed over the common belly of the left arm biceps muscle. Up to 25 h post-exercise, the maximum contraction force and the EMG signal were recorded alternately at regular intervals. The EMG signal was recorded during 30-s contractions at 40% of the pre-fatigued MVC. Four hours and 25 h post-exercise, the endurance time of a 40% pre-fatigued MVC was recorded. Up to 25 h after the exercise the maximum contraction force, the endurance time and the EMG parameters were significantly different from the pre-exercise values. Nine out of ten subjects complained that muscle soreness had developed. Thus, long-lasting changes are found after exhaustive dynamic exercise, not only in the MVC and the muscle's endurance capacity, but also in the EMG signal.

Adult↗

A three-dimensional mathematical model of the human masticatory system predicting maximum possible bite forces.

A three-dimensional mathematical model of the human masticatory system, containing 16 muscle forces and two joint reaction forces, is described. The model allows simulation of static bite forces and concomitant joint reaction forces for various bite point locations and mandibular positions. The system parameters for the model were obtained from a cadaver head. Maximum possible bite forces were computed using optimization techniques; the optimization criterion we used was the minimizing of the relative activity of the most active muscle. The model predicts that at each specific bite point, bite forces can be generated in a wide range of directions, and that the magnitude of the maximum bite force depends on its direction. The relationship between bite force direction and its maximum magnitude depends on bite point location and mandibular position. In general, the direction of the largest possible bite force does not coincide with the direction perpendicular to the occlusal plane.

Biomechanical Phenomena↗

The recognition of craniomandibular disorders--a comparison between clinical and radiographic findings in eighty-nine subjects.

A comparison has been made between clinical and radiographical findings in a study of eighty-nine patients suffering from craniomandibular disorders. In general it was found that condylar changes were more common in these patients than in earlier studies concerning the severe problems of craniomandibular disorders. A statistically significant correlation between clinical and radiographical findings was found for crepitation with osteophyte formation of the condyle (P less than 0.01). After clinical separation of the patients into two groups based upon the origin of pain, myogenous versus arthrogenous, no radiographical correlation could be made except for condylar osteophytes. With the clinical method used for separation of patients it was found that the clicking of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) was more common among myogenous patients (P less than 0.05); crepitation was more common among arthrogenous patients (P less than 0.01), as was limited mouth opening (P less than 0.05) and deviation on opening (P less than 0.05). Radiographically, the only statistical difference between the two groups was found for osteophyte formation of the condyle, this was more common among arthrogenous patients (P less than 0.05). As the clinical method has been tested earlier, the results of this study lends support to the idea that conventional radiographical examination is of limited use in the initial diagnostics of craniomandibular disorders. Therefore new alternatives have to be developed.

Facial Pain↗

Mandibular border positions and their relationships with peripheral joint mobility.

Peripheral joint mobility was assessed in a group of fifty-one dental students using a modification of the Carter and Wilkinson Index. Mandibular border positions were measured both actively and passively with the aid of a millimetre ruler. The purpose of the investigation was to study possible relationships between generalized joint (hyper-)mobility and (hyper-)mobility of the temporomandibular joints. Only a few weak correlations were found between the mandibular border position measurements (active and passive mouth opening, active and passive, left and right, laterotrusions and active protrusion) and the peripheral joint mobility measurements. Differences between the sexes were illustrated in peripheral joint mobility with females showing a greater joint mobility than males, especially when only the passively measured joints were considered. The mandibular border positions were significantly correlated with each other (P less than 0.05-P less than 0.001) for the males, but few and then only weak relationships between these measurements could be found for the females in this group. The concept of temporomandibular joint 'end-feel' in relation to joint mobility is discussed.

Adult↗

Electromyographic power-spectrum changes during repeated fatiguing contractions of the human masseter muscle.

During 7 sessions at weekly intervals, 10 healthy males performed the same endurance test three times by isometrically contracting the masseter muscles at 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 75 or 90 per cent of maximal electromyographic activity. The interval between the tests in any one session was 30 s. Changes in the surface electromyogram were monitored by calculating the changes in mean power frequency (MPF) of the signals. With the higher contraction levels, endurance times were shorter, the MPF shifted to lower frequencies more rapidly and the MPF value was lower at the end of the test. At these levels, the subjects reported lack of power as the sole reason for stopping the test but at low levels, pain was the important reason. The endurance time and the rate of MPF shift for the second and third test of each experiment were the same. For the first test, the endurance time was longer (p less than 0.025) and the rate of MPF shift was lower (p less than 0.05). Thus the analysis of specific electromyographic (MPF) indicators provides information about the development of muscle fatigue.

Adult↗