Electromyographic biofeedback and rest position training of masticatory muscles in myofascial pain-dysfunction patients

Abstract

Twenty-four women outpatients with myofascial pain-dysfunction were divided into three groups of eight. All received bilateral masseter electromyographic biofeedback training. One group received biofeedback only; one group received additional instructions and modeling to place their jaw in the “rest” position; and one group was given a prosthetic guide that spaced the incisors 6.8 mm apart. Two 15-minute training sessions were conducted at a 1-week interval, with posttreatment assessment 2 weeks later. The instruction and prosthesis groups obtained significantly greater electromyographic reductions in masseter activity and increases in mandibular range of motion compared with the biofeedback-only group. Subjects with pain obtained a significant reduction in therapist and self-report pain ratings. The results suggest that short-term biofeedback treatment may be meaningfully augmented by procedures that place the mandible in the rest position.