Investigation of the mechanism of chewing movement in children with developmental insufficiency of oral function

Aim

We have previously reported that questionnaires and tongue pressure measurements are useful in the study of developmental insufficiency of oral function (DIOF). This study aimed to characterize the masticatory muscle activity of DIOF in children using electromyography to contribute to the future diagnosis and treatment of the disease.

Methods

This study included 41 children (16 boys and 25 girls) aged 5–6 years. A cordless electromyograph was attached to the shallow masseter muscle, and the participants freely chewed the chewing check gum 60 times in the chair-sitting position. The activity of the masseter muscle was recorded for 60 bites.

Results

The chewing cycle, maximal peak interval, and right-sided masseter muscle were found to be predominantly lower in the DIOF group than in the non-DIOF group. No significant differences were observed in the duration of chewing time and chewing interval between the two groups.

Conclusions

The electromyography measurements, as well as the comparison of muscle activity between the working and non-working sides, were found to be useful for the evaluation and treatment of DIOF.