Craniofacial Pain and Jaw-muscle Activity during Sleep

Abstract

This study compared the jaw-muscle electromyographic (EMG) activity during sleep in patients with craniofacial pain (n = 63) or no painful conditions (n = 52) and between patients with tension-type headache (TTH: n = 30) and healthy control individuals (n = 30). All participants used a portable single-channel EMG device (Medotech A/S) for four nights. There was no significant difference in EMG activity between craniofacial pain (24.5 ± 17.9 events/hr) and no painful conditions (19.7 ± 14.5), or between TTH (20.8 ± 15.0) and healthy control individuals (15.2 ± 11.6, p >.050). There were positive correlations between EMG activity and number of painful muscles (r = 0.188; p = 0.044), characteristic pain intensity (r = 0.187; p = 0.046), McGill Pain Questionnaire (r = 0.251; p = 0.008), and depression scores (r = 0.291; p = 0.002). Patients with painful conditions had significantly higher night-to-night variability compared with pain-free individuals (p < 0.050). This short-term observational study suggests that there are no major differences between patients with different craniofacial pain conditions and pain-free individuals in terms of jaw-muscle EMG activity recorded with a single-channel EMG device during sleep. However, some associations may exist between the level of EMG activity and various parameters of craniofacial pain. Longitudinal studies are warranted to further explore the relationship between sleep bruxism and craniofacial pain.

Sleep-associated aspects of myofascial pain in the orofacial area among Temporomandibular Disorder patients and controls

“…This finding is in accordance with Raphael et al [15] and Yachida et al [43]. It was also shown that there is no association between self-belief and EMG activity with regard to SB.…”

Sleep bruxism in individuals with and without attrition-type tooth wear: An exploratory matched case-control electromyographic study

“…Other factors that may have influenced the EMG recordings are the set-up procedure and that the placement of the EMG electrode may have differed between repeated recordings. 16 In this study, all participants were carefully instructed and trained in the use of the ambulatory EMG device prior to the registrations. In addition, they were all dental/dental hygienist students and showed great interest to the study, which made them promptly try to manage technical problems (e.g., lost electrodes) and compliance issues.…”

“…The sample size was based on the EMG activity and calculated with risk of type I and type II errors of 5% and 20% respectively and an estimate of the inter-individual variation of EMG measures set to 40% 16 and a minimal relevant difference to detect between the paired observations of 40%. 11 The EMG parameter "bites per hour" was the primary outcome and the other EMG parameters were secondary outcomes.…”

Relationships between Intermittent Locking History and Self-Reported Bruxism in Temporomandibular Joint

“…14) Intermittent mild teeth grinding may be associated with masticatory muscle pain in the morning. 15 Joint sounds are a common finding in general people.…”