title: Analysis of the masticatory process of asthmatic children: Clinical and electromyographic research.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The prevalence of asthma has grown considerably in recent decades, but some studies have shown stabilization of this trend. The masticatory process of asthmatic children may be altered due to asthma-related anatomo-functional changes.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The study objective was to determine the clinical and electromyographic characteristics of the masticatory process in asthmatic children and compare the electrical activities of their masseter and anterior temporal muscles (at rest and during maximal voluntary contraction and mastication) with those of non-asthmatic children.
  
  
  METHODS
  Case study. Asthmatic and non-asthmatic groups, each consisting of 30 children of both sexes between 6 and 10 years of age, were evaluated. Mastication was evaluated clinically and electromyographically in all subjects.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The masticatory process did not differ significantly between asthmatic and non-asthmatic children.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Although the masticatory process did not differ significantly between asthmatic and non-asthmatic children, the masticatory process of asthmatic children may be altered because of anatomical changes of Asthma.
authors.affiliation: PhD. Speech-Language Pathology.
authors.forename: Daniele Andrade
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: da Cunha
authors.affiliation: PhD. Speech-Language Pathology.
authors.forename: Hilton Justino
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: da Silva
authors.affiliation: Master. Speech-Language Pathology.
authors.forename: Gerlane Karla Bezerra Oliveira
authors.initials: GK
authors.lastname: Nascimento
authors.affiliation: Master. Speech-Language Pathology.
authors.forename: Elthon Gomes Fernandes
authors.initials: EG
authors.lastname: da Silva
authors.affiliation: Specialist. Physical Therapist.
authors.forename: Renata Andrade
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: da Cunha
authors.affiliation: Specialist. Speech-Language Pathology.
authors.forename: Renata Milena Freire Lima
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Régis
authors.affiliation: PhD.Doctor.
authors.forename: Célia Maria Machado Barbosa
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: de Castro
keywords: asthma; child; electromyography; mastication; stomatognathic system