title: Global body posture and plantar pressure distribution in individuals with and without temporomandibular disorder: a preliminary study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to evaluate body posture and the distribution of plantar pressure at physiologic rest of the mandible and during maximal intercuspal positions in subjects with and without temporomandibular disorder (TMD).
  
  
  METHODS
  Fifty-one subjects were assessed by the Diagnostic Criteria for Research on Temporomandibular Disorders and divided into a symptomatic group (21) and an asymptomatic group (30). Postural analysis for both groups was conducted using photogrammetry (SAPo version 0.68; University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil). The distribution of plantar pressures was evaluated by means of baropodometry (Footwork software), at physiologic rest and maximal intercuspal positions.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of 18 angular measurements, 3 (17%) were statistically different between the groups in photogrammetric evaluation. The symptomatic group showed more pronounced cervical distance (P = .0002), valgus of the right calcaneus (P = .0122), and lower pelvic tilt (P = .0124). The baropodometry results showed the TMD subjects presented significantly higher rearfoot and lower forefoot distribution than those in the asymptomatic group. No differences were verified in maximal intercuspal position in the between-group analysis and between the 2 mandibular positions in the within-group analysis.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Subjects with and without TMD presented with global body posture misalignment. Postural changes were more pronounced in the subjects with TMD. In addition, symptomatic subjects presented with abnormal plantar pressure distribution, suggesting that TMD may have an influence on the postural system.
authors.affiliation: MD in Human Communication Disorders, Physiotherapist, Research Group Orofacial Motricity Laboratory, Department of Speech Therapy, Postgraduate Program of Human Communication Disorders of Federal University of Santa Maria, Santa Maria, RS, Brazil. Electronic address: fisioju@yahoo.com.br.
authors.forename: Juliana A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Souza
authors.affiliation: MD in Human Communication Disorders, Physiotherapist, Research Group Orofacial Motricity Laboratory, Department of Speech Therapy, Postgraduate Program of Human Communication Disorders of Federal University of Santa Maria, Santa Maria, RS, Brazil.
authors.forename: Fernanda
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Pasinato
authors.affiliation: PhD in Mouth-Dental Biology, Physiotherapist, Research Group Orofacial Motricity Laboratory, Department of Speech Therapy, Postgraduate Program of Human Communication Disorders of Federal University of Santa Maria, Santa Maria, RS, Brazil.
authors.forename: Eliane C R
authors.initials: EC
authors.lastname: Corrêa
authors.affiliation: PhD in Science of the Communication Disorders, Speech Therapist, Research Group Orofacial Motricity Laboratory, Department of Speech Therapy, Postgraduate Program of Human Communication Disorders of Federal University of Santa Maria, Santa Maria, RS, Brazil.
authors.forename: Ana Maria T
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: da Silva
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D005528:Foot / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011187:Posture / Q000502:physiology*; D011312:Pressure; D013705:Temporomandibular Joint Disorders / Q000503:physiopathology*; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Photogrammetry; Posture; Temporomandibular Disorder