Abstract
BackgroundIt is important to know how easy or difficult it is to use an ambulatory electromyographic (EMG) device for sleep bruxism assessment, and how this might affect its future utilisation.ObjectiveTo explore the experience of individuals using an EMG device that pairs with a smartphone app, in order to detect factors that could facilitate and/or hamper its utilisation in future scientific research.MethodsFifteen adults were recruited in the Orofacial Pain and Dysfunction Clinic of the Academic Centre for Dentistry Amsterdam (ACTA). Overnight recordings were performed in the home setting during one week. Time investment, feelings and thoughts, encountered difficulties and reasons for not using the device were assessed in a diary through open‐ended questions and 5‐point Likert scales. Content analysis of textual data was performed, and descriptives of quantitative data were calculated.ResultsTime investment was low (mean 10.2 minutes in the clinic, and 1.9 minutes per recording at home). Quantitative data showed an overall good experience (median of 4). Qualitative diary data showed that the desire to gain insight into one's masticatory muscle activity formed the main motivation to use the device. Device detachment and difficulty in using the app were the most prominent negative experiences.ConclusionThe EMG device was well accepted for multiple overnight recordings. Curiosity for gaining insight into muscle activity was the most important factor that facilitated its use, and the app addressed this need. Device detachment and difficulties in using the app were the main factors that hampered its use.
Highlights
It is important to know how easy or difficult it is to use an ambulatory electromyographic (EMG) device for sleep bruxism assessment, and how this might affect its future utilisation
This study explored the experience of individuals with the use of a portable EMG device (BUTLER® GrindCare®) for the assessment of masticatory muscle activity during sleep, in order to detect factors that could facilitate and/or hamper its utilisation
Curiosity for gaining insight into one's masticatory muscle activity during sleep was the most important factor that facilitated the use of the device, and the smartphone app was the means by which this need was met
Summary
Sleep bruxism is a masticatory muscle activity during sleep with rhythmic and non-rhythmic features[1] with potential negative oral health consequences, such as musculoskeletal symptoms, tooth wear and complications of restorative dental treatments.[2]. Portable EMG devices can produce masticatory EMG data and have the potential to overcome PSG-related issues of feasibility and cost-effectiveness.[8] They can be self-administered at the home setting, for single- or multiple-night recordings.[8] On the other hand, they may overestimate sleep bruxism activity, compared with PSG.[7,9] Validity of a diagnostic device is obviously one of its most important features, and studies on the validity of new diagnostic devices are crucial. It can be hypothesised that the small number, or even total absence of wires, and the possibility for self-administration at home make the burden of portable EMG devices lower compared with PSG. This burden may still be significant, especially in the case of multiple-night recordings. The aim of this study was to explore the experience of individuals with the use of a portable EMG device (BUTLER® GrindCare®, Sunstar Suisse SA) for the assessment of masticatory muscle activity during sleep, in order to detect factors that could facilitate and/or hamper its utilisation in future scientific research
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