The Effects of Treatment on Masticatory Muscle Activity and Mandibular Posture in Myofascial Pain-dysfunction Patients

The purpose of this study was to evaluate tonic masticatory muscle activity and the postural rest position of the mandible, pre- and posttreatment, in patients with TM disorders. Forty-one patients diagnosed as suffering from myofascial pain-dysfunction (MPD) were evaluated, with electromyography (EMG) used to measure the muscle activity of the masseteric and anterior temporal areas at rest. Postural rest position was assessed by measurement of interocclusal distance. Twenty-three asymptomatic subjects were also tested as controls. Treatment for the pain group emphasized cognitive awareness of dysfunctional orofacial behavior and biofeedback training of the masseteric area to teach masticatory muscle relaxation. The pre-treatment EMG values of both the masseteric and anterior temporal areas were significantly higher for the pain group than for the control group. Post-hoc division of the pain group into successful and unsuccessful subgroups was made on the basis of the degree of symptom improvement. EMG activity decreased significantly in the masseters of both subgroups, but only the unsuccessful subgroup showed a significant decrease in anterior temporal activity following therapy. Interocclusal distance was significantly increased in both subgroups. These results suggest that tonic masticatory muscle activity may be elevated in MPD patients. They also suggest that a decrease in EMG activity in the masseter and anterior temporalis muscles and an opening of the postural rest position of the mandible may accompany completion of psychophysiological therapy, but these changes do not correspond directly with the outcome of that therapy.