Orofacial myofunctional changes and electromyographic activity of the orbicularis oris muscle in trombonists

ABSTRACT Objective: to analyze whether trombonists present orofacial myofunctional changes and compare the electrical activity of the orbicularis oris muscle before and after playing their instrument. Methods: an observational, descriptive, and cross-sectional study. The sample consisted of 20 university trombonists. Data collection involved three steps: application of a questionnaire investigating some peculiarities of trombonists (Orofacial Myofunctional Evaluation with Expanded Scores - OMES-E), and electromyographic analysis of the orbicularis oris muscle before and after performing a piece with the trombone. The mean, standard deviation, frequency, and percentage were calculated, and the paired Student’s t test was used to compare the means of the electromyographic records before and after playing the trombone, at a 5% significance. Results: seventy per cent of trombonists reported some symptom of orofacial myofunctional alteration, namely, muscle compensations, tension, and pain. The myofunctional evaluation showed a mild change in cheek volume (90%) and labial commissure asymmetry (60%). The electrical activity of the lower orbicularis oris muscle decreased significantly after the trombone practice (p = 0.04), while that of the superior orbicularis oris muscle remained unchanged. Conclusion:trombonists show clinical and self-reported oromyofunctional changes as well as decreased electrical activity of the lower orbicularis oris muscle, after playing the trombone. RESUMO Objetivos: analisar se existem alterações miofuncionais orofaciais clínicas e autorreferidas em trombonistas, assim como comparar a atividade elétrica do músculo orbicular da boca antes e após o uso do trombone. Métodos: estudo transversal e observacional, cuja amostra foi composta por 20 universitários trombonistas. Foi utilizado um questionário que investiga algumas particularidades sobre o instrumentista, da Avaliação Miofuncional Orofacial Com Escores Ampliados - AMIOFE-A e análise eletromiográfica do músculo orbicular da boca antes e após execução de uma tarefa com o trombone. Foram calculadas: média, desvio padrão, frequência e porcentagem e utilizou-se o teste t-Student pareado na comparação das médias dos registros eletromiográficos pré e pós-execução do trombone, significância=5%. Resultados: setenta por centro dos trombonistas relataram algum sintoma de alteração miofuncional orofacial, sendo compensações musculares, tensão e dor. Na avaliação miofuncional encontrou-se alte