title: The influence of emotional state on the masticatory muscles function in the group of young healthy adults.
abstract: Stress may affect the function of all the components of the masticatory system and may ultimately lead to differentiated symptoms and finally to systemic and structural dysfunctions.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To determine the effect of stress on the masticatory muscles function in young healthy adults.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 201 young, Angle's first class, healthy volunteers, 103 female and 98 male, in the age between 18 and 21 years were recruited into the study. All the participants underwent clinical examination according to the Slavicek scheme, questionnaire survey according to Perceived Stress Scale, and assessment of masticatory muscles function in central occlusion.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Symptoms of masticatory system dysfunction were found in the group of 86 subjects (46,24%). All the muscles activity in central occlusion was comparable in female and male groups. Mean values of masseters activities in the group of low stress subjects (75,52 µV±15,97) were statistically different from the groups with medium (82,43 µV±15,04) and high (81,33±12,05) perceived stress (P<0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Chronic stress may reveal or exacerbate symptoms of masticatory dysfunction.
authors.affiliation: Department of Prosthetic Dentistry, Medical University of Białystok, Sklodowska-Curie Street 24a, 15-089 Białystok, Poland.
authors.forename: Stocka
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Anna
authors.affiliation: Department of Prosthetic Dentistry, Medical University of Białystok, Sklodowska-Curie Street 24a, 15-089 Białystok, Poland.
authors.forename: Kuc
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Joanna
authors.affiliation: Department of Prosthetic Dentistry, Medical University of Białystok, Sklodowska-Curie Street 24a, 15-089 Białystok, Poland.
authors.forename: Sierpinska
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Teresa
authors.affiliation: Department of Prosthetic Dentistry, Medical University of Białystok, Sklodowska-Curie Street 24a, 15-089 Białystok, Poland.
authors.forename: Golebiewska
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Maria
authors.affiliation: Department of Prosthetic Dentistry, Jagiellonian University Medical College, Montelupi Street 4, 31-155 Cracow, Poland.
authors.forename: Wieczorek
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Aneta
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001732:Bite Force; D004644:Emotions; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008410:Masticatory Muscles / Q000503:physiopathology*; D009119:Muscle Contraction; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000523:psychology; D013705:Temporomandibular Joint Disorders / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000523:psychology; D055815:Young Adult