ひずみゲージを応用したブラキシズム検出装置の開発

Abstract

A force based bruxism detection device, which utilizes a pair of strain gauge sensors embedded in an acrylic appliance was developed. The purpose of this study was to test this newly-developed device for bruxism detection. First, the strain gauge signals and masseter EMG were recorded simultaneously in 6 healthy volunteers who performed all of the behaviors which might occur during bruxism. Analysis involved a comparison of the duration of the bruxism detected by each method. The correlation coefficients between the duration of bruxism events detected by 2 methods were sustained clenching (r=0.97, p<0.001, n=60), rhythmic clenching (r=0.95, p<0.001, n= 60), grinding (r= 0.81, p<0.001, n=57), and tapping (r=0.75, p<0.001, n=58). Then, overnight polysomnography with a subject who was aware of bruxism was performed in order to test if the strain gauge could detect actual bruxism during sleep. The correlation coefficients between the detected duration by 2 methods resulted in 0.77 (p<0.001). This study showed that the bruxism duration detected by this device is reasonably accurate when compared with the traditional EMG method.