Abstract
In order to effectively relax the masticatory muscles through EMG biofeedback training (BFT) of the frontal muscle in cases with craniomandibular disorders, it is necessary to investigate the training terms of this training.
Data were obtained from 16 healthy adults (8 males and females) who underwent a 3-day training trial of auditory BFT using an EMG biofeedback instrument that consisted of 2 min. of rest and 10 min. of BFT on the frontal muscle. Furthermore, non-BFT data which included pre-BFT, post-BFT and follow-up values were also recorded.
To evaluate changes of body response, data including EMG activity of the respective muscles (frontal, temporal, masseter, sternocleidomastoid), electrocardiogram, plethysmogram and pneumogram were obtained and analyzed.
One session, excluding the 1 min. rest period was divided into 11 equal one-minute segments.
The EMG activity increased during the first minute, but then showed a relaxation effects the following 3-7 minutes, indicating that the adequate range for the BFT trial is around 7 minutes.
Autonomic response based on feedback signals showed that ANS was hardly affected, indicating that feedback information was adequate.
The post-BFT and follow-up values of frontal, temporal and masseter muscles showed approximate changes of EMG activity during BFT, indicating that a learned effect took place.
The effect of muscle relaxation upon the sternocleidomastoid muscle was not observed.
