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Effects of Two Types of Pillows on Bilateral Sternocleidomastoid EMG Activity in Healthy Subjects and in Patients with Myogenic Cranio-Cervical-Mandibular Dysfunction

1999; Taylor & Francis; Volume: 17; Issue: 3 Linguagem: Inglês

10.1080/08869634.1999.11746096

2151-0903

Carmen Palazzi, Rodolfo Miralles, Claudio Cezar de Miranda, Saúl Valenzuela, Rodrigo Casassus, Hugo Santander, Guillermo Ormeño,

Temporomandibular Joint Disorders

This study was conducted in order to determine the effects of two types of pillows on bilateral electromyographic (EMG) activity of the sternocleidomastoid muscles. The study was performed on 15 patients with myogenic cranio-cervical mandibular dysfunction (CMD) and 15 healthy subjects. EMG recordings at rest and during swallowing of saliva and maximal voluntary clenching were performed by placing surface electrodes on the right and left sternocleidomastoid muscles. EMG activity was recorded in the supine position and in the lateral decubitus position (according to each individual's normal resting habit), with their eyes closed and with the head supported by means of: 1. a Sleep Easy Pillow (Interwood Marketing Groups, Concord, Ontario, Canada) and 2. a Standard Pillow (INDUVET). In the lateral decubitus position a significantly higher contralateral than ipsilateral EMG activity at rest in the sternocleidomastoid muscles was observed with both types of pillows in all the sample studied (ANOVA and Duncan's Multiple-Range Test). Asymmetrical bilateral EMG activity in the lateral decubitus position with both types of pillows in healthy subjects and in patients with myogenic CMD, suggests that if this body posture is prolonged, it could be important in the genesis of sternocleidomastoid hyperactivity.