The aim of the research was to evaluate the electrical activity and pain on palpation of the cervical muscles, the cervical range of motion (ROM) and the relationship between electrical activity and ROM in individuals with and without temporomandibular disorder (TMD). Fifty three volunteers took part in the study, being 24 with TMD and 29 without, both genders, from 18 to 32 years old. The TMD was diagnosed through Research Diagnostic Criteria for Temporomandibular Disorder (RDC/TMD). The electromyografhy of Sternocleidomastoideus (SCM) and upper trapezius muscles was carried out bilaterally during rest situation, with a frequency of 2 KHz and band-pass filter of 10-1000Hz. The measures of flexion, extension, lateral tilt and rotation ROM were acquired through a fleximeter and the comparison between groups was analyzed by Mann-Whitney test. The Spearman test verified the correlation between the variables, with 5% of significance level. There were no differences in the cervical ROM between the groups. The electrical activity was significantly higher in the right SCM (p=0,0130), left (p=0,0335) and right (p=0,0334) trapezius muscles in the TMD group. There were no significant correlations between electrical activity and cervical ROM. Pain in the neck muscles was significantly higher only in the right SCM (p=0,0055). It is concluded that the studied groups had difference in the electrical activity of the cervical muscles, which was larger in the individuals with TMD.
temporomandibular joint disorders; electromyography; range of motion, articular
