Short-Term Morphological Changes in Asymptomatic Perimandibular Muscles after Dry Needling Assessed with Rehabilitative Ultrasound Imaging: A Proof-of-Concept Study

Pawluś

et al. 2021

IJERPH

In children, the quality and muscle function are altered in many pathologic conditions, including temporomandibular disorders. Although several methods have been used to evaluate muscle tonus, none became a golden standard. Moreover, the masseter muscle characteristics in children have not been investigated to date. This study aimed to measure the stiffness of the masseter muscle using shear-wave elastography in healthy children. We enrolled 30 healthy children (mean age 10.87 ± 3.38 years). The stiffness of masseter muscles was measured with shear wave elastography. Stiffness for the total sample was 6.37 ± 0.77 kPa. A comparison of the measurements did not show significant differences between the right and the left masseter muscles (left—6.47 ± 0.78 kPa; right—6.24 ± 0.76 kPa; p = 0.3546). A significant difference was seen between boys and girls (boys—5.94 ± 0.50 kPa; girls—6.63 ± 0.80; p = 0.0006). Shear-wave elastography is a promising diagnostic tool. It may help to detect changes in the stiffness of the masseter muscle and draw attention to pathological processes within the jaw muscles. Directions for further research shall include determining stiffness values in pathological conditions and the impact of biological and functional factors on the stiffness of the masseter muscle.

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Stiffness of the Masseter Muscle in Children—Establishing the Reference Values in the Pediatric Population Using Shear-Wave Elastography

Pawluś

et al. 2021

IJERPH

“…Two studies focused on the use of ultrasound imaging: the first one for improving the safety of some potential dangerous dry needling treatments when applied on the thorax [ 11 ] and the second one suggesting that dry needling influences muscular morphology by decreasing masticatory muscle thickness as assessed with ultrasound imaging [ 12 ]…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Needling Interventions for the Management of Musculoskeletal Pain Syndromes

Fernández‐de‐las‐Peñas

2021

JCM

Assessment of the masseter stiffness in patients during conservative therapy for masticatory muscle disorders with shear wave elastography

Seweryn

BMC Musculoskelet Disord

et al. 2022

Background The complex structure of the stomatognathic system plays a vital role in chewing, digestion, speaking, breathing, facial expression and swallowing. Its complexity is the primary reason for creating multidisciplinary teams to manage temporomandibular disorders (TMD). We aimed to assess the masseter stiffness in patients undergoing conservative therapy for masticatory muscle disorders and evaluate the efficacy of manual therapy and stabilization occlusal splint in the treatment of masticatory muscle disorders. Methods This uncontrolled prospective cohort study included 35 patients with masticatory muscle disorders. The study lasted for eight weeks. The patients were treated with manual therapy and stabilization occlusal splint and evaluated using shear wave elastography of the masseter muscles and patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) to assess pain, anxiety, quality of sleep, satisfaction with life and perceived stress. Results After the treatment, the stiffness of both masseter muscles decreased significantly (by 4.21 kPa). The patients reported a significant reduction in pain. At baseline, the median scores ranged from 5 to 8; after treatment, they ranged from 0 to 1 (p < 0.0001). The patients also reported significant improvement in terms of all patient-reported outcome measures. The reduction in stiffness corresponded to the improvement in pain and PROMs, as shown by correlations which were insignificant for all measures. Conclusions Conservative therapy of masticatory muscle disorders involving manual therapy and stabilization occlusal splint is effective. It reduces the masseter stiffness as objectively shown in shear wave elastography and improves subjective PROMs scores, including numerical pain assessment and selected questionnaires. Shear wave elastography has the potential for broad application in clinical practice to monitor masticatory muscle disorders treatment effects due to its objectivity and non-invasive character. Further research is recommended on larger patient populations and longer follow-up. Trial registration The study was registered at clinicaltrials.gov (NCT03844854). First posted date: 19/02/2019.