Magnetic and electric stimulation to elicit the masseteric exteroceptive suppression period.
OBJECTIVE
The present study compared the perception of electric and magnetic stimuli for reflex appearance threshold (RT) and reflex saturation threshold (RS) of the exteroceptive suppression reflex (ES) in the masseter muscle.


METHODS
Twelve healthy males and 12 females (age: 24.2+/-3.2 years) participated. The surface EMG was recorded from the left masseter muscle. The stimulus intensities were set as multiple values of the sensory threshold (ST), and were applied to the skin above the left mental nerve. Subjects reported the perceived intensity of the stimulus on a numeric rating scale (NRS) at RT and RS for the early and late ES (ES1 and ES2, respectively).


RESULTS
ES2 had a lower RT and RS compared to ES1 in electric and magnetic stimulation. Significantly lower NRS values at RT and RS were found with painless magnetic stimulation compared to electric stimulation (p<0.01).


CONCLUSIONS
In contrast to electrical stimulation, both ES1 and ES2 appeared and saturated with painless magnetic stimuli.


CONCLUSIONS
The present results indicate that both ES1 and ES2 have a non-nociceptive origin. Painless magnetic stimuli will be an advantage in ES reflex examinations for various orofacial pain conditions.
Komiyama
Osamu
O
Department of Clinical Oral Physiology, Nihon University School of Dentistry at Matsudo, 2-870-1 Sakaecho-nishi, Matsudo, Chiba 271-8587, Japan. komiyama.osamu@nihon-u.ac.jp
Wang
Kelun
K
Svensson
Peter
P
Arendt-Nielsen
Lars
L
De Laat
Antoon
A
Kawara
Misao
M
D000328:Adult; D002680:Chin; D004056:Differential Threshold; D004558:Electric Stimulation / Q000009:adverse effects; D004576:Electromyography / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008046:Lip; D008280:Magnetics; D008297:Male; D008406:Masseter Muscle / Q000294:innervation / Q000502:physiology*; D010146:Pain / Q000209:etiology; D017288:Pain Threshold; D010525:Peripheral Nerves / Q000502:physiology; D012018:Reflex / Q000502:physiology*; D012684:Sensory Thresholds; D012737:Sex Factors; D012867:Skin / Q000294:innervation; D055815:Young Adult