Changes in mandibular and cervical motor control of children with cerebral palsy

Purpose: to study was to analyze the electrical activity of Masseter and Temporalis muscles and the pattern of posture and movement of the head and jaws of children with cerebral palsy (CP).Methods: the sample comprised 32 volunteers with spastic CP and with normal development, with ages ranging from 7 to 13 years of age, characterized based on the Classification of Angle and Research Diagnostic Criteria for Temporomandibular Disorders (RDC/TMD). Simultaneously, we evaluated the position and movement of the head and jaw and electrical activity of Temporalis and Masseter muscles by means of kinematic and electromyography.Results: the CP was not associated with the presence of TMD or with the alteration of dental occlusion. In the CP group, there was greater asymmetry of the temporalis muscle (p