The aim of the study was to analyze the relationship between stress measured by the perceived stress scale (PSS-10) questionnaire and masticatory muscle activity. Experimental design assumed the study of healthy young women without temporomandibular disorders, dividing them into three groups depending on the result of the stress level and then comparing these groups in terms of bioelectrical activity of the masticatory muscles. After the exclusion criteria were applied, 63 female students (mean age: 22.3 ± 2.4 years) from Medical University of Lublin were included in the study. The subjects were then divided into 3 groups: with low (n = 18), medium (n = 18) and high stress level (n = 27), according to PSS-10 results. Resting and functional activity of temporalis anterior (TA) and masseter (MM) muscles were measured by electromyograph BioEMG III. There were statistically significant effects of group on the absolute value of asymmetry index (AsI) of TA and MM during maximum voluntary clenching on dental cotton rollers (both p = 0.02). Post hoc analysis shows that there were statistically significant differences between medium and high stress groups in AsI TA (p = 0.01) and between low and high stress groups in AsI MM (p = 0.02). Perceived stress measured by PSS-10 questionnaire seems to be associated with changes in muscular asymmetry in functional clenching activity.

BackgroundFascial Manipulation® (FM®) is a manual method of treatment created by Luigi Stecco that centres on the muscular fascia. Fascia is a fibrous collagenous tissue which, with its wide strands, connects all the connective tissues in the body into a whole. Fascia can also cause restriction of motion of the organs as a result of an injury, inflammation or infection. FM® technique bases on identification and therapy of specific points, which are located at the point of convergence of the vectorial forces of the muscles involved in every movement. The aim of this literature review was to analyze publications on the use of FM® in treatment of pain and functional dysfunctions.Materials and methodsMaterial for this literature review was found by two independent authors using PubMed, Cochrane library, ScienceDirect and PEDro databases. In order to identify appropriate studies, a combination of keywords ,,fascial manipulation”, „pain”, „dysfunction” was used. Finally, 10 publications were qualified for a literature review.ResultsIn the analyzed ten publications, improvement after treatment, reduction of pain and better functional outcome in patients conditions were figured. Six authors had some similar conclusions which state that the positive results of treatment last over time. One study presented opposite findings and state that the treatment has not brought long-lasting effects. ConclusionsConsidering all the reports on this subject, it is suggested that FM® therapy is worth considering in treatment of pain disorders, orthopaedic dysfunctions and postural disabilities. Further research of the subject on whether the treatment results are sustainable is necessary.

Background Greater affluence and cheaper travelling have enabled a rapid increase in the number of people travelling around the world. About two thirds of travelers have experienced symptoms of motion sickness at least once. A known type of motion sickness is sea sickness.

Background Recreational diving with aqualung can be called an extreme sport because the divers are exposed to physical and psychological risks. A serious danger in diving is the very exposure to a change in pressure underwater, which every diver must deal with. That kind of danger may cause many problems related to any pressure exposure and unfortunately, diving-related illnesses have shown the increasing tendency. Recreational divers are the most numerous group among the people who suffer from decompression sickness (DCS) and alas, similar