The effect of biting tasks on human balance- and posture control during the performance of gross motor tasks

• Applicant: Privatdozent Dr. Daniel Hellmann
• Subject Area: Dentistry, Oral Surgery
• Term: from 2013 to 2016
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 240709900

Epidemiological studies reveal a high comorbidity of pain in the maxillofacial area with pain in the neck and back which represent an extraordinary financial burden on the health care system. It is assumed that the listed symptoms are associated with the symptom complex of craniomandibular dysfunction (CMD). So far there is a low level of evidence for the neuromuscular interactions between the craniomandibular system (CMS) and other motor sub-segments of the human body.In our previous work, initial findings of the impact of the CMS on the neck muscles and the body posture in the habitual standing position are detected. The planned experimental randomized study will provide information about the effect of a controlled biting task on the dynamic balance and posture in healthy subjects during the performance of simple and complex motion tasks. For this purpose, a complex biomechanical motion analysis is performed. Besides the bite forces, kinematic, dynamic and electromyographic characteristics of the movements are recorded synchronously. The segment movements are captured with infrared cameras. Forceplates are used to measure ground reaction forces and the foot pressure. A telemetric 16-channel EMG device is used to measure the muscle activity of the lower extremities. Based on the processed kinematic data, the joint angle and joint torque curves and the center of gravity can be calculated by means of model calculation. For analysis of the static motion tasks, the position of the body´s center of gravity and the position of the center of pressure (COP) over the support base can be analyzed. For the dynamic movement tasks, the mathematical model of von Hof is used to determine the dynamic stability. To elucidate possible differences in the stability parameters between the conditions biting and not biting, the coordination of movements of the subjects are analyzed by using classical discrete parameter of isolated degrees of freedom. The coordination between different degrees of freedom is tested by means of continuous relative phase angle and the similarity of the phase angle by means of orthogonal reference functions.On the basis of the data and results, a deeper neurobiological understanding of the complex interaction of musculoskeletal sub-segments should help to reveal possible functional and pathophysiological interaction between the CMS and the human musculoskeletal system. This knowledge may help to develop optimized, cost-cutting treatment strategies.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants
• Participating Person: Dr. Steffen Ringhof