Objectives: This study was aimed to determine the suitable condition for masseter and temporal muscles massage using a specially fabricated robot named the "Waseda-Asahi Oral-Rehabilitation Robot No. 1 (WAO-1)", and to evaluate its effects on patients with TMJ dysfunction associated with myofascial pain.
Methods: WAO-1 was composed by two 6-degree of freedom (DOF) arms with plungers attached at the end-effector. Massage was applied to the patient by controlling the force and position of the plunger (virtual compliance). Three massage pressures (1, 6`8, and 10 N) were tested in twelve healthy volunteers. All volunteers were examined on the mouth opening, and asked to record subjective evaluations regarding comfortableness, warmth and ease of mouth opening using the visual analogue scale (VAS). The thickness and intramuscular appearances were evaluated using ultrasonography.
After the determination of massage pressure, the robot was applied to some patients. The massage pressure applied started at 6 N and was increased gradually. One-minute massage was performed alternately for the masseter and temporal muscles and a treatment session consisted of seven repeated massages. This treatment was performed three times every two weeks. The maximum mouth opening was measured before and after massage together with subjective evaluations including pain.
Results: On subjective evaluation, most volunteers showed the highest VAS score for comfortableness at 6`8 N, while the warmth and ease of mouth opening scores were the highest at 10 N. The VAS after massage was slightly related to muscle thickness.
The maximum mouth opening increased and the pain decreased in all patients after treatment.
Conclusion: This robot appeared to be a potential tool for the treatment of TMJ dysfunction associated with myofascial pain.
Division: Japanese Division Meeting
Meeting:2008 Japanese Division Meeting (Nagoya City, Japan) Location: Nagoya City, Japan
Year: 2008 Final Presentation ID: Abstract Category|Abstract Category(s):Scientific Groups
Authors
Ariji, Yoshiko
( Aichi-Gakuin University Scoool of Dentistry, Nagoya, N/A, Japan
)
Ariji, Eiichiro
( Aichi-Gakuin University Scoool of Dentistry, Nagoya, N/A, Japan
)
Katsumata, Akitoshi
( Asahi University School of Dentistry, Gifu, N/A, Japan
)
Ogi, Nobumi
( Aichi-Gakuin University Scoool of Dentistry, Nagoya, N/A, Japan
)
Izumi, Masahiro
( Aichi-Gakuin University Scoool of Dentistry, Nagoya, N/A, Japan
)
Sakuma, Shigemitsu
( Aichi-Gakuin University Scoool of Dentistry, Nagoya, N/A, Japan
)
Iida, Yukihiro
( Asahi University School of Dentistry, Gifu, N/A, Japan
)
Kurita, Kenichi
( Aichi-Gakuin University Scoool of Dentistry, Nagoya, N/A, Japan
)
Ishii, Hiroyuki
( Waseda University, Graduate School of Science and Engineering, Tokyo, N/A, Japan
)
Takanashi, Atsuo
( Waseda University, Graduate School of Science and Engineering, Tokyo, N/A, Japan
)