Effects of experimental muscle pain on mechanical properties of single motor units in human masseter

• Published in: Clinical neurophysiology Vol. 115; no. 1; pp. 76 - 84
• Main Authors: Sohn, M.K., Graven-Nielsen, T., Arendt-Nielsen, L., Svensson, P.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Shannon Elsevier Ireland Ltd 2004; Elsevier Science
• Subjects: Adult; Biological and medical sciences; Capsaicin; Electric Stimulation; Electromyography; Electrophysiology; Experimental muscle pain; Facial Pain - chemically induced; Facial Pain - physiopathology; Female; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Humans; Isometric Contraction - drug effects; Male; Masseter muscle; Masseter Muscle - innervation; Masseter Muscle - physiopathology; Motor control and motor pathways. Reflexes. Control centers of vegetative functions. Vestibular system and equilibration; Motor Neurons - physiology; Muscle Cells - physiology; Pain Measurement; Single motor unit; Somesthesis and somesthetic pathways (proprioception, exteroception, nociception); interoception; electrolocation. Sensory receptors; Spike triggered averaging; Twitch force; Vertebrates: nervous system and sense organs; Twitch force; Single motor unit; Experimental muscle pain; Masseter muscle; Spike triggered averaging; Human; Jaw; Force; Discharge pattern; Electrophysiology; Mechanical properties; Striated muscle; Muscle contraction; Motor unit; Sensorimotor coordination; Pain; Adaptation

Objective: Muscle pain is known to influence muscle activity but the details of its effects on the mechanical properties of single motor units (SMU) have not been described. We have recently reported a decreased firing rate of SMU in the human masseter muscle during painful contractions with a const...