title: Differences between the activity of the masticatory muscles of adults with cerebral palsy and healthy individuals while at rest and in function.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of the present study was to compare the electromyographic activity of masticatory muscles of adult patients with different degrees of oral motor impairment (cerebral palsy) with the electromyographic activity of healthy individuals in a control group. Electromyographic activity was compared when the masticatory muscles were at rest and in motion.
  
  
  METHODS
  Thirty adult patients with cerebral palsy and 30 subjects without neuromotor disorders were enrolled in the present study. Oral motor function impairment was classified for each subject according to the Orofacial Motor Function Assessment Scale. Surface electromyography was bilaterally recorded in the masseter and anterior temporalis muscles at rest, during maximal voluntary clench and mouth opening. Comparisons between the groups were statistically assessed using Mann-Whitney test.
  
  
  RESULTS
  At rest and mouth opening, electromyographic values were higher among patients with cerebral palsy than control group. During maximal voluntary clench, the opposite occurred. The degree of oral motor impairment affected mouth opening.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  There are significant differences in masticatory muscle activity between adult patients with CP and healthy individuals, and the degree of oral motor impairment is important.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  To improve the masticatory function of these patients, muscle therapy should approach rest, mouth opening and clenching differently.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biosciences and Oral Diagnosis, School of Dentistry, UNESP - Universidade Estadual Paulista, São José dos Campos, SP, 12245-000, Brazil. Electronic address: Miriam.matsui@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Miriam Yumi
authors.initials: MY
authors.lastname: Matsui
authors.affiliation: Department of Biosciences and Oral Diagnosis, School of Dentistry, UNESP - Universidade Estadual Paulista, São José dos Campos, SP, 12245-000, Brazil.
authors.forename: Lilian Chrystiane
authors.initials: LC
authors.lastname: Giannasi
authors.affiliation: Department of Biosciences and Oral Diagnosis, School of Dentistry, UNESP - Universidade Estadual Paulista, São José dos Campos, SP, 12245-000, Brazil.
authors.forename: Sandra Regina Freitas
authors.initials: SR
authors.lastname: Batista
authors.affiliation: Department of Biosciences and Oral Diagnosis, School of Dentistry, UNESP - Universidade Estadual Paulista, São José dos Campos, SP, 12245-000, Brazil.
authors.forename: Jose Benedito Oliveira
authors.initials: JB
authors.lastname: Amorim
authors.affiliation: Sleep Laboratory, Nove de Julho University, Rua Vergueiro, 235/249, Sao Paulo, SP, Brazil.
authors.forename: Claudia S
authors.initials: CS
authors.lastname: Oliveira
authors.affiliation: Sleep Laboratory, Nove de Julho University, Rua Vergueiro, 235/249, Sao Paulo, SP, Brazil.
authors.forename: Luis Vicente F
authors.initials: LV
authors.lastname: Oliveira
authors.affiliation: Department of Biosciences and Oral Diagnosis, School of Dentistry, UNESP - Universidade Estadual Paulista, São José dos Campos, SP, 12245-000, Brazil.
authors.forename: Monica Fernandes
authors.initials: MF
authors.lastname: Gomes
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002547:Cerebral Palsy / Q000503:physiopathology*; D004185:Disability Evaluation; D004576:Electromyography; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008410:Masticatory Muscles / Q000502:physiology* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D012146:Rest
keywords: Cerebral palsy; Electromyography; Masticatory muscles