Background: The use of rest surface EMG of jaw elevator muscles is still debated. The low voltage recorded in anterior temporalis muscle by electromyography (EMG) in rest position could be affected by electronic noise or by activity coming from other muscles. Our goal was to evaluate the physiological behaviour of the anterior temporalis by surface EMG at rest mandible position during open or closed eyes condition in healthy young subjects without both malocclusion and visual defect.
Materials and methods: Surface EMG of anterior temporalis, masseter, digastric, sternomastoid muscle and mandible kinesiographic movement were recorded in 20 young, healthy individuals without both malocclusion and visual defect during open-closed eyes condition.
Results: No significant difference was found in surface EMG of anterior temporalis comparing eyes closed to eyes open condition.
Conclusion: Physiology of open-closed eyes in healthy, young subjects without malocclusion or visual defect does not imply a change in surface EMG of anterior temporalis muscle.