Utility of Smartphone‐based real‐time report (Ecological Momentary Assessment) in the assessment and monitoring of awake bruxism: A multiple‐week interval study in a Portuguese population of university students

Purpose The Ecological Momentary Assessment (EMA) concept was the basis for developing a smartphone application for the on‐time report of awake bruxism (AB) activities. This study aims to monitor AB report over time in a population of healthy young adults. Methods A population of young adults recruited among dental students in good general health was recruited. All answered to a questionnaire, including the Oral Behavior Checklist (OBC‐1). They were then monitored with a smartphone application for AB report during seven consecutive days and completed three further observation periods (EMA‐1, 2 and 3) at one‐month intervals. After the third period (EMA‐3), participants answered again the OBC questionnaire (OBC‐2). Changes over time were described, and Pearson Correlation test was performed to assess the correlation between EMA and OBC items reports. A significance level of p = .01 was set. Results Thirty‐one University students completed the study protocol. Answers to the OBC showed an increase in the prevalence of self‐reported bracing and teeth clenching from the first to second report (38.7%–54.8% and 77.4%–90.3%, respectively). A slight increase in the ‘relaxed’ condition (62.5%–69.0%) was observed with EMA‐based smartphone application over time. No correlation between OBC items and EMA was detected between OBC‐1 and EMA‐1. A moderate positive correlation in bracing report (+0.509, p = .01) and weak positive correlation in teeth contact report (+0.380, p = .05) were found between OBC‐2 and EMA‐3. Conclusion Using a smartphone‐based approach to AB report may be helpful to monitor AB over time and increase an individual's awareness to recognise actions such as bracing and teeth contact concerning the single‐time report.