Global Prevalence of Sleep Bruxism and Awake Bruxism in Pediatric and Adult Populations: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Background: This systematic literature review aims to explore the impact of rehabilitation in post-stroke patients, particularly highlighting the roles of virtual reality (VR) technology and functional electrical stimulation (FES). Methods: To ensure all relevant studies were included, a thorough search was conducted in PubMed and Web of Science databases using keywords such as ‘post-stroke’, ‘FES’, ‘functional electrical stimulation’, ‘virtual reality’, and ‘VR’. Studies on rehabilitating upper limb function through VR and FES in post-stroke patients were included, regardless of publication year. Studies had to compare this combination therapy with conventional methods and report outcomes related to upper limb coordination, functional mobility, and daily activities. Studies not meeting these criteria were excluded. The selection process involved screening titles, abstracts, and full texts by four independent reviewers. The quality and risk of bias of the included studies were assessed using the PEDro scale and Robvis tool. Results: The review included four studies involving 135 post-stroke patients. Two articles examined the effectiveness of an approach involving virtual reality, robotic therapy, and functional electrical stimulation in rehabilitating upper limbs in post-stroke patients, showing significant improvements in motor function and quality of life. The other two studies explored the effects of rehabilitation therapy using virtual reality combined with functional electrical stimulation on upper limb function in stroke patients, finding that combined therapy (FES with VR) was superior to functional electrical stimulation or robotic therapy. Discussion: The review was limited by the small number of studies and participants, which may affect the generalizability of the results. Variations in intervention protocols and outcome measures across studies posed challenges in synthesis. Integrating these technologies brings benefits and increases the potential for personalizing and optimizing the rehabilitation process, enhancing patient engagement and satisfaction, and promoting a holistic approach to post-stroke management. Future research should focus on larger, more standardized trials to confirm these findings and optimize intervention protocols.

Virtual Reality Associated with Functional Electrical Stimulation for Upper Extremity in Post-Stroke Rehabilitation: A Systematic Review

Minzatanu,

Roman,

Manaila

et al. 2024

Light Clenching Differentially Affects Balance Ability According to Occlusal Contact Stability

Takahashi,

Bando,

Fukui

et al. 2024

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to determine the stability of occlusal contacts based on the left–right distribution of the occlusal contact area, divide participants into well-balanced and unbalanced groups, and clarify the effect of light clenching on the balance ability. Methods: Forty-one healthy men completed occlusal contact examinations with pressure-sensitive films, and the participants were allocated to the balanced occlusal contact (BOC) group or the unbalanced occlusal contact (UOC) group. The balance ability was measured using a center of gravity sway meter. The static balance in standing and dynamic balance using the cross test were assessed. Measurements were performed in the mandibular rest position (RP) or with light clenching (LC). Differences in the balance ability between the participant groups due to clenching and correlations between the static and dynamic balance were analyzed. Results: Differences in the balance ability due to clenching were observed only in the BOC group, with the static balance higher with LC, and the dynamic balance higher in the RP condition (p < 0.01). Significant correlations were observed between the static and dynamic balance except for the UOC group with LC (p < 0.01, p < 0.05). Conclusions: The results of this study suggested that occlusion affects the postural control when occlusal contact is stable but does not affect the postural control when occlusal contact is unstable.

Mastication of Carrots with Different Shapes Affects the Composition of the Salivary Proteome—A Pilot Study

Pérez-Jiménez,

Boieiro,

Simões

et al. 2024

Chewing is a sensorimotor activity that aims to prepare food for swallowing, in which saliva intervenes, moistening food particles, assisting in bolus formation, enzymatic digestion, and swallowing. This study investigated the effect of chewing carrots of different shapes on salivary secretion and protein profiles using 2-DE gel electrophoresis. Fifteen participants chewed sliced or grated carrots, or parafilm (non-food control), in a crossover design, with saliva samples collected before and after mastication. The results showed significant differences in salivation and saliva composition when chewing carrots vs. the control, with sliced carrots inducing greater changes: 37 protein spots, including amylase and immunoglobulin spots, 9 protein spots, and 1 protein spot were significantly altered after chewing sliced carrots, grated carrots, and parafilm, respectively. Mastication combined with the sensory properties of food had a greater effect on saliva secretion and salivary protein levels than mastication alone. Among carrot shapes, the results suggest that harder food textures, which require more chewing effort, lead to more pronounced changes in salivary protein profiles. These findings contribute to the understanding of how food shape and texture influence salivation and salivary proteome dynamics, with potential implications for oral digestion, food-related sensory experiences, and the personalisation of diets for individuals with a compromised chewing capacity.