Link

Title:

Electromyographic activity of sternocleidomastoid and masticatory muscles in patients with vestibular lesions

 

Objectives:

This study evaluated the electromyographic characteristics of masticatory and neck muscles in subjects with vestibular lesions.

 

Material and methods:

Surface electromyography of the masseter, temporalis and sternocleidomastoid muscles was performed in 19 patients with Ménière’s disease, 12 patients with an acute peripheral vestibular lesion, and 19 control subjects matched for sex and age.

 

Results:

During maximum voluntary clenching, patients with peripheral vestibular lesions had the highest co-contraction of the sternocleidomastoid muscle, the control subjects had the smallest values, and the patients with Ménière’s disease had intermediate values. The control subjects had larger standardized muscle activities than the other patient groups.

 

Conclusion:

In conclusion, during maximum voluntary tooth clenching, patients with vestibular alterations have both more active neck muscles, and less active masticatory muscles than normal controls. Results underline the importance of a more inclusive craniocervical assessment of patients with vestibular lesions.

 

Practical tip:

The analysis of the involvement of the sternocleidomastoid muscles occurs during a 6-channel examination and provides for the introduction of a further measure of normalization of the activity of the sternocleidomastoid muscles. Specifically, it is necessary to explain to the patient that he will be asked to slowly rotate his head first to the right and then to the left in a period of 15 seconds. When performing this movement, make sure that the shoulders are held firm by the patient so that they do not rotate together with the neck. This allows the muscle to perform maximum contraction (maximum contralateral torsion). Subsequently the usual operations foreseen by the protocol of maximum contraction (tightening on the cotton rollers and on own teeth) are carried out.