Avaliação da atividade eletromiográfica, força de mordida e associação com disfunção temporomandibular em pacientes hemiparéticos pós-acidente vascular encefálico

Abstract

Cerebrovascular Accident (Stroke) is an important aggravation to the health of the global population, which causes motor impairments that could compromise the masticatory muscles. The objective of this study was to evaluate complete hemiparesis, originating from a Stroke, which may cause greater orofacial compromise, altering the electromyographic activity and the force of the masticatory muscles associated to the temporomandibular dysfunction when compared to incomplete hemiparesis. Hemiparetic post-stroke individuals aged between 18 and 75 years of age were evaluated. The sample was divided into two groups: the Complete Hemiparetic group containing 29 individuals and the Incomplete Hemiparetic group containing 21 individuals. All of the groups were submitted to evaluation to diagnose TMD through RDC/TMD, bite force through the Kratos® Dynamometer and electromyography of the masticatory muscles employing a 4-channel electromyography of the EMG System®. The results obtained were computed and the statistical analysis was made using the significance of 95% (p<0.05), where the significant statistical difference was observed in the TMD between the complete and incomplete hemiparetic group (p=0,01). However, regarding the bite force in the intergroup and/or intragroup, a statistical difference was not observed. As to the function of the upper limb, evaluated by SSQOL, and its relation to oral health, evaluated by OHIP-14, it was possible to observe the statistically significant correlation in the domains of Physical Pain, Functional Limitation, Psychological Discomfort, Physical Incapacity, Social Incapacity, Social Disadvantage and Psychological Incapacity. In all the domains stated above, the correlations were negative. Regarding the electromyography, a statistical significant difference was observed during rest, in the intergroup evaluation, both on the right side (p=0.005) and on the left (p=0.005). A negative correlation was verified, of moderate magnitude (-0.643) (p=0.02), among the electromyographic signals at rest and the male individuals that did not present TMD in the complete hemiparetic group. As to the time of injury, a negative correlation was also observed, of moderate magnitude (-0.663) (p=0.00) between the time of injury and the electromyographic signal in individuals without TMD also in the complete hemiparetic group, which allowed us to complete the relation between the TMD, time of injury and EMG in hemiparetic individuals with stroke, except for bite force which did not show a relation with hemiparesis. Finally, the orofacial function needs to be better understood, because it aggregates immeasurable value to the rehabilitation of these individuals.