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Biomedical subjects

C G Widmer

Publications and source records attributed to C G Widmer.

24 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1989

Evaluation of the use of surface electromyography in the diagnosis, documentation, and treatment of dental patients.

The use of electromyography as an aid in the differential diagnosis and treatment of dental patients is carefully examined in this literature review. Electromyography has been advocated for the establishment of rest and occlusal positions, and for the detection of muscle hyperactivity and hypoactivity, spasm, fatigue, and muscle imbalance. However, these claims were often based on studies that failed to include a control group when comparing various clinical parameters and EMG activity of the muscles of mastication. When a control group was incorporated, the authors usually failed to match the patients by such variables as age, sex, facial morphology, and history of bruxism. These variables have a significant influence on the level of EMG activity and may account for the high degree of variability observed between groups. Controlled trials evaluating the efficacy of biofeedback using electromyography found significant reductions of diurnal parafunctional activity during treatment, but the low symptom levels were not maintained after cessation of biofeedback. Based upon this extensive literature review, there is no convincing evidence to support the use of electromyography in the diagnosis or treatment of dental patients except in the treatment of parafunction.

Biofeedback, Psychology↗
PubMed1988

Surface intraoral genioglossus EMG recording technique for kinesiologic studies.

Electromyographic (EMG) recordings from intraoral genioglossus surface electrodes were compared to fine-wire recordings of the left genioglossus muscle during selected activities that involved (1) rest, (2) tongue protrusion without resistance, (3) isometric tongue protrusion, (4) jaw opening without resistance, (5) isometric jaw opening, and (6) swallowing. Right and left lateral protrusions of the tongue were evaluated also. Recordings from both surface and fine-wire configurations showed similar onset times, relative amplitude changes, and cessation times of EMG activity during unresisted tongue protrusion and isometric tongue protrusion. Swallowing EMG activity occurred somewhat earlier and was longer in duration in the surface electrode recordings than the fine-wire recordings; however, maximum amplitudes occurred at similar times. Neither type of electrode recorded significant EMG activity during jaw opening or isometric jaw opening. These findings support the validity of recording EMG activity of the genioglossus muscle by surface recording electrodes supported by an acrylic appliance. The development of such an appliance may be an important biofeedback tool to control genioglossus activity during such activities as tongue thrusting.

Adult↗
PubMed1987

Jaw-opening reflex activity in the inferior head of the lateral pterygoid muscle in man.

Jaw-opening reflex excitation and inhibition in this muscle and the anterior digastric were only observed during activation and not when the muscles were relaxed. After electrical stimulation of the palate over the greater palatine nerve, reflex excitation of the lateral pterygoid was observed in all subjects with average latency 19.4 ms. Excitation in the anterior digastric muscle was found in only five of the eight subjects with latency 18.6 ms. Excitation of the jaw-opening muscles occurred during the inhibition of the jaw-closing muscles, and conversely, jaw-closing muscle excitation occurred during a silencing of the jaw-opening muscles. This suggests a central control over the facilitation and inhibition of jaw-opening and jaw-closing muscle activity.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

The role of pharmacy in the management of patients with temporomandibular disorders and orofacial pain.

OBJECTIVE: To provide information regarding the current understanding of the etiology and treatment, both nonpharmacologic and pharmacologic, of orofacial pain conditions including temporomandibular disorders (TMDs). This review briefly discusses the etiology and pathophysiology underlying the development of TMDs, generally accepted nonpharmacologic methods of treatment, and the most common current pharmacologic management approaches. DATA SOURCES: Current medical literature and the authors' clinical experiences. DATA SYNTHESIS: TMDs encompass a number of diagnostic subgroups that involve the masticatory musculature, the temporomandibular joint(s), and associated structures. More than 10 million individuals in the United States are affected by TMDs. Most current pharmacologic management approaches in the treatment of orofacial pain conditions, including TMDs, involve the use of antidepressants, anticonvulsants, muscle relaxants, corticosteroids, and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. CONCLUSION: Inclusion of pharmacists who are knowledgeable in the nonpharmacologic and pharmacologic treatment approaches on the TMD management team would improve therapeutic monitoring, follow-up, and outcomes in these patients.

Anticonvulsants↗