Quantitative electromyographic diagnosis of myofascial pain-dysfunction syndrome.

The slopes of the V/T curves of masticatory muscles were determined in patients with MPD syndrome, and the changes in the slopes were observed prior to and during electrical muscle stimulation and splint therapy. The slopes of the V/T curves in patients with MPD syndrome were significantly steeper than those of the healthy subjects. In patients with MPD the slopes were decreased by electrical muscle stimulation of moderate duration and by insertion of the splint. These findings suggest that the most simple procedure for the diagnosis of MPD syndrome is to compare the slopes in MPD patients with those of healthy subjects. The observation of the changes in slopes during electrical muscle stimulation and splint therapy permits a more quantitative diagnosis of MPD syndrome. It also permits a quantitative measurement of improvement of symptoms in patients with MPD syndrome.