title: Influence of the mandibular position on the active cervical range of motion of healthy subjects analyzed using an accelerometer.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study is to analyze the influence of the mandibular positions (habitual rest position, habitual maximum intercuspation, habitual maximum intercuspation with clenching, and mandibular position with cotton rolls) on the active cervical range of motion (ROM) (flexion-extension, lateroflexions, rotations) using an accelerometer in a sample of healthy subjects.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 21 (14 M, 7 F) healthy volunteers aged from 18 to 27 years (mean age 23.88 ± 2.34 years; mean weight 67.86 ± 11.38 kg; mean height 172.52 ± 9.00 cm) underwent a cervical range of movement examination using a 9-axis accelerometer. A one-way ANOVA analysis was performed in order to statistically evaluate the effective influence of the mandibular position on the recorded parameters.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The analysis showed no statistically significant differences (all p-values > 0.1) with variations smaller than three degrees among the different mandibular positions.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The mandibular position seems to have no influence on the active cervical ROM in healthy subjects. Further studies are needed to assess the usefulness of the accelerometer in the cervical analysis of temporomandibular disorder subjects.
authors: a Department of Orthodontics , University of Rome Tor Vergata , Rome , Italy.
authors: Alberto
authors: A
authors: Baldini
authors: a Department of Orthodontics , University of Rome Tor Vergata , Rome , Italy.
authors: Alessandro
authors: A
authors: Nota
authors: b Dental School , Vita-Salute San Raffaele University , Milan , Italy.
authors: Simona
authors: http://orcid.org/0000-0003-2986-1114
authors: S
authors: Tecco
authors: a Department of Orthodontics , University of Rome Tor Vergata , Rome , Italy.
authors: Fabiana
authors: F
authors: Ballanti
authors: a Department of Orthodontics , University of Rome Tor Vergata , Rome , Italy.
authors: Paola
authors: P
authors: Cozza
mesh_terms: D061725:Accelerometry / Q000379:methods*; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002574:Cervical Vertebrae / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D064368:Healthy Volunteers; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008334:Mandible / Q000502:physiology*; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular / Q000502:physiology*
keywords: Head; ROM; accelerometer; mandible; neck; range of motion; rotation; temporomandibular joint