Electroencephalographic signature of patients with temporomandibular disorder: clinical implications

The aim of this study was to investigate the features of temporomandibular disorder (TMD) and non-TMD subjects on electroencephalogram (EEG) the jaw resting, biting, and opening states. A total of 34 participants were recruited into the study. Participants with TMD were evaluated using the Diagnostic Criteria for Temporomandibular Disorders (DC/TMD) and the Protocol for Multi-Professional Centres for the Determination of TMD Signs and Symptoms (ProTMDMulti). EEG was recorded using the NeuroSky biosensor at jaw resting, biting, and opening states for the non-TMD subjects, TMD patients before therapy, and TMD patients after therapy. The EEG energy of the TMD patients was significantly greater than that of the non-TMD subjects at the jaw resting, opening and biting states (p < 0.05), except the EEG Beta wave at the jaw biting state. After conventional therapy for TMD, the EEG energy of TMD patients significantly decreased at the jaw resting state (p < 0.01). During the jaw opening state, the EEG energy of TMD patients also significantly decreased after therapy at the low frequency waves but increased at the high frequency waves (p < 0.01). EEG features were significantly different between the non-TMD and TMD participants as well as in the TMD patients before and after therapy. EEG may serve as an objective biomarker and a quantitative diagnostic tool for TMD.