[An analysis of the psychophysiological components in subjects with temporomandibular disorders. Myographic tension and the management of aggressiveness].
BACKGROUND
The stomatognathic literature doesn't sufficiently stress the role of aggressiveness as a modulator of muscular tensions. Our study focused on the hypothesis that 1) original psychological problems related to the modulation of aggressivity could produce 2) chronic muscular tension of the oral district 3) they can become the basis of the malocclusive phenomenon. The investigation was conducted in the laboratory of Clinical Psychophysiology of the University of Rome "La Sapienza".


METHODS
We have examined the myographic activity of the temporal and masseter muscles of both sides in 20 women with temporomandibular dysfunction and in the control group comparable by age. The myographic tension was examined in three "stimulus situations": a) closed lips without any teeth contact; b) with light teeth contact; c) with compression of the dental arcade. Moreover, we have examined the style of aggressiveness modulation through Rosenzweig's PFS test. Features of the experimental group were. 1) age between 20 and 30 yrs; 2) presence of condylomeniscal uncoordination; 3) deviation of the median line of incisors; 4) lateral deviation in the opening and/or closing mandible.


RESULTS
The experimental group showed a higher score of myographic amplitude for the above-mentioned muscles of both sides in three "stimulus situations". Moreover, it presented at the Rosenzweig's test more elevated scores for the Dominance of Obstacle (O-D); b) less elevated scores for Ego Defence (E-D).


CONCLUSIONS
Results are commented on the basis of an integrated psychophysiological model.
Ruggieri
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Dipartimento di Psicologia, Università degli Studi di Roma, La Sapienza.
Persico
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Caputo
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D000328:Adult; D000374:Aggression / Q000502:physiology / Q000523:psychology*; D004576:Electromyography / Q000379:methods / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008410:Masticatory Muscles / Q000503:physiopathology*; D009129:Muscle Tonus / Q000502:physiology*; D011581:Psychological Tests / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011603:Psychophysiology; D013705:Temporomandibular Joint Disorders / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology*