Orofacial myofunctional changes and electromyographic activity of the orbicularis oris muscle in trombonists

Abstract

Objective: to analyze whether trombonists present orofacial myofunctional changes and compare the electrical activity of the orbicularis oris muscle before and after playing their instrument. Methods: an observational, descriptive, and cross-sectional study. The sample consisted of 20 university trombonists. Data collection involved three steps: application of a questionnaire investigating some peculiarities of trombonists (Orofacial Myofunctional Evaluation with Expanded Scores - OMES-E), and electromyographic analysis of the orbicularis oris muscle before and after performing a piece with the trombone. The mean, standard deviation, frequency, and percentage were calculated, and the paired Student’s t test was used to compare the means of the electromyographic records before and after playing the trombone, at a 5% significance. Results: seventy per cent of trombonists reported some symptom of orofacial myofunctional alteration, namely, muscle compensations, tension, and pain. The myofunctional evaluation showed a mild change in cheek volume (90%) and labial commissure asymmetry (60%). The electrical activity of the lower orbicularis oris muscle decreased significantly after the trombone practice (p = 0.04), while that of the superior orbicularis oris muscle remained unchanged. Conclusion:trombonists show clinical and self-reported oromyofunctional changes as well as decreased electrical activity of the lower orbicularis oris muscle, after playing the trombone.

Biofeedback eletromiográfico e feedback visual na terapia miofuncional: perfil de uso pelos fonoaudiólogos

“…Destaca-se o grande interesse dos fonoaudiólogos que utilizam o espelho, 20 (89,95%), em conhecer melhor o BE, demonstrando a busca por melhor embasamento técnico para fornecer instrumentos associados à terapia miofuncional. Dos fonoaudiólogos que utilizam o BE como recurso, todos referiram utilizar o equipamento da empresa MIOTEC®, com ampla divulgação no âmbito nacional da pesquisa com EMGs [23][24][25][26] . Em estudos internacionais com essa temática, outras marcas são utilizadas como a MyoTrac® 27 e a VitalStim® Plus 28 , que além do BE possui a estimulação elétrica neuromuscular.…”