Stroke: An electromyographic approach to the masseter and temporal muscles, orofacial soft tissue pressure, and occlusal force.

Stroke is a cerebrovascular disease that triggers changes in the central and peripheral nervous systems, and can compromise human body function. This cross-sectional observational study aimed to analyze the electromyographic (EMG) activity of the masseter and temporal muscles, orofacial soft tissue pressure, and strength of occlusal contacts in patients who had suffered a stroke. Twenty-four patients were divided into two groups: stroke (n = 12) and control (n = 12). The EMG of the masseter and temporal muscles was evaluated during mandibular rest, protrusion, right laterality, left laterality, and maximal voluntary contraction. The Iowa Oral Pressure Instrument (IOPI) was used to measure pressure from the tongue, lips, and buccinator muscles. A computerized system for occlusal analysis (T-Scan III) was used to measure the occlusal contact points of the right and left hemiarches (upper and lower) and the upper and lower first molars. Data were subjected to Student's t-test (p < 0.05). The stroke group had lower normalized electromyographic activity, with a significant difference in the left temporal muscle during rest (p = 0.03) when compared to the control group. There was a significant difference between the groups in tongue pressure (p = 0.004) with a lower mean value in the stroke group. There was a significant difference between the groups in the evaluation of the occlusal contact points of the first permanent molars, with a lower mean percentage in the stroke group. The results indicate that stroke negatively affects functional performance of the stomatognathic system.

Impact of Hemorrhagic Stroke on Molar Bite Force: A Prospective Study.

Stroke is a neurological deficit of cerebrovascular origin that promotes physical impairments of adult individuals. The present study is aimed to demonstrate whether hemorrhagic stroke affects the maximum molar bite force. The prospective study carried in Centro Universitario Claretiano de Batatais, Brazil, determined the distribution of the sample into two groups: hemorrhagic stroke group (n=18, median age, 62.5 years) and disease-free group (n=18, median age, 62.0 years), with 10 men and 8 women in each group. Subjects were paired one-to-one (age and body mass index). The dynamometer was used to measure the maximum molar bite force (right and left). All analyses were performed with a significance level of 5% (Student's t-test). Differences were found on the right (p=0.048) and left (p=0.042) molar bite force, with lower bite force (both sides) in hemorrhagic stroke group. The study suggests that hemorrhagic stroke negatively affects the maximum molar bite force and necessitates changes in food intake to nutritious and softer consistency foods.