Electromyographic evaluation in patients with Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis

Aim: the aim of this study is to evaluate the motor model in patients suffering from unilateral or bilateral Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis (JIA) and to understand how the neuromuscular system plays a role in protecting the temporomandibular joint in patients with joint disorders. Methods: the instrumental evaluation of the masticatory muscles in patients with JIA is carried out using standardized POC (Percentage Overplaning Coefficient) electromyography using a maximum clenching test. This text allows us to understand in detail the muscular activity in patients suffering from JIA with pathologies affecting the temporomandibular joint. The evaluation was carried out on a sample of 150 patients suffering from JIA, performing electromyography with the aim of evaluating the masseter muscles and temporalis muscles. The analysis is carried out with the patient sitting and with the maximum clenching protocol. Results: the study shows that in 135 of the 150 patients affected by JIA, hyperactivity of the temporal muscles or hypoactivity of the masseters was noted. The hypothesis is that this type of neuromuscular response is an adaptive protective response of the TMJ. Conclusions: in conclusion, this study underlines the importance of evaluating, through electromyographic testing in maximum clenching, motor activity and the role of the neuromuscular system in the protection of the temporomandibular joint.