Background

The jaw and neck motor systems have a close functional integration but the effect of resistance load to the mandible during jaw opening on the jaw-neck integration is not known.

Objectives

To evaluate the effect of resistance load compared to no load on integrated jaw and neck motor function in individuals free from pain and dysfunction in the jaw and neck regions.

Methods

Jaw and head movements during continuous jaw opening were recorded with an optoelectronic system (MacReflex®) in 26 pain-free individuals (14 women, 12 men, mean age 22 years). Jaw opening was performed with and without resistance load (1600 g) to the mandible. The relationship between jaw movement amplitude, head movement amplitude, head/jaw ratio (quotient of head and jaw movement amplitude) and resistance load were modelled using linear mixed-model analysis. A p-value <.05 was considered statistically significant.

Results

The expected head/jaw ratio mean was increased by 0.05 (95% CI: 0.03, 0.08, P<0.001) with resistance load as compared to no load. This corresponds to an increase in expected mean by 55.6%. With resistance load, expected mean head movement amplitude increased by 1.4 mm (95% CI: 0.2, 2.5, P=0.018), and expected mean jaw movement amplitude decreased by 3.7 mm (95% CI: -7.0, -0.5, P=0.025).

Conclusion

There is a compensation and adaptation of integrated jaw–neck motor function with an altered jaw–neck motor strategy during jaw opening with resistance load compared to no load. The head/jaw ratio demonstrates increased proportional involvement of the neck during increased load on the jaw system.