title: Acupuncture and temporomandibular disorders: a 3-month follow-up EMG study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of this study was to investigate the levels of electromyographic (EMG) activation and maximal molar bite force before and after a 3-month acupuncture therapy in individuals with temporomandibular disorder (Helkimo Index) from a pool of subjects attending the Special Care Course of the Ribeirão Preto Dental School, São Paulo University, Brazil.
  
  
  METHODS
  All 17 patients, aged between 37 and 50 years (44.2 +/- 4.84 years), with an average weight of 71 +/- 9.45 kg and height of 1.64 +/- 0.07 m, were clinically examined with regard to pain and dysfunctions of the masticatory system. The temporomandibular acupuncture points of needling were IG4, E6, E7, B2, VB14, VB20, ID18, ID19, F3, E36, VB34, E44, R3, and HN3. EMG measures were acquired before and after the treatment using a MyoSystem-BR1 electromyographer. The data collected at rest, protrusion, left and right laterality, and clenching were normalized by maximum voluntary contraction. Maximal bite force in right and left molar regions were registered using a dynamometer with a capacity of up to 1000 N, adapted for oral conditions. The highest value out of three recordings was considered to be the individual's maximal bite force. The results were statistically analyzed using the paired t test (SPSS version 15.0) during the comparison before and after treatment.
  
  
  RESULTS
  We found decreased EMG activity at rest, protrusion, left and right laterality, and clenching; as well as increased values of maximal bite force after acupuncture treatment.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Acupuncture promoted alterations in the EMG activity of masticatory muscles, increased maximal molar bite force, and led to remission of the subjects' painful symptomatology.
authors: Ribeirão Preto Dental School, São Paulo University, São Paulo, Brazil.
authors: Sandra Valéria
authors: SV
authors: Rancan
authors: César
authors: C
authors: Bataglion
authors: Solange Aparecida
authors: SA
authors: Bataglion
authors: Odinê Maria Rêgo
authors: OM
authors: Bechara
authors: Marisa
authors: M
authors: Semprini
authors: Selma
authors: S
authors: Siéssere
authors: João Paulo Machado de
authors: JP
authors: Sousa
authors: José Alexandre de Souza
authors: JA
authors: Crippa
authors: Jaime Eduardo Cecilio
authors: JE
authors: Hallak
authors: Simone Cecilio Hallak
authors: SC
authors: Regalo
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001732:Bite Force; D001938:Brazil; D004576:Electromyography; D006801:Humans; D008410:Masticatory Muscles / Q000503:physiopathology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009119:Muscle Contraction / Q000502:physiology*; D059408:Pain Management; D013704:Temporomandibular Joint / Q000473:pathology*; D013705:Temporomandibular Joint Disorders / Q000628:therapy*