Wearable devices for jaw activity monitoring

The present work, which focuses on wearable devices for jaw activity monitoring is in a hybrid thesis format, whereby material published or sent for publication is inserted in the chapters of the thesis. The thesis is divided into six main chapters and owing to the nature of this thesis, a certain degree of overlap between chapters is inevitable. Chapter 1 – General Introduction and Review of the Literature A general overview of masticatory muscle activity in function, dysfunction and parafunction is presented in the first chapter. The review focusses on epidemiology, associated musculoskeletal conditions and methods for assessment of wake time oral parafunction. Instrument-based approaches for the assessment of wake time parafunction with a focus on portable devices for long-term masticatory muscle sEMG and approaches for mandibular motion tracking are included in the introductory chapter Chapter 2 – Validation of a wearable wireless device for monitoring masticatory muscle activity in freely moving individuals The methodological details of the validation of a newly developed smartphone assisted wearable wireless EMG device are presented in the second chapter. The chapter presents an overview of the study design, participant recruitment, examination procedure, equipment used, questionnaire surveys, data analysis and limitations. Chapter 3 – Associations among masticatory muscle activity, physical activity & self-reported oral behaviours in adult women Objective measurements in the natural environment of masticatory muscle activity using the validated wearable EMG device and daily physical activity using wrist accelerometers are presented in the third chapter. This chapter examines the relationship between masticatory muscle activity, self-reported oral behaviours and physical activity in adult women participants. An overview of the study design, participant recruitment, examination procedure, equipment used, data analysis and study limitations is presented in this chapter. Chapter 4– Effect of electrode characteristics on electromyographic activity of the masseter muscle. Limitations of sensing electrodes used with the wearable wireless EMG device for long-term muscle activity monitoring are presented in the fourth chapter. The chapter presents testing of different inter-electrode distances and electrode materials to overcome limitations and optimise electrode characteristics for long-term masticatory muscle EMG with the device. An overview of the study design, participant recruitment, examination procedure, equipment used, data analysis and study limitations is presented in this chapter. Chapter 5– Design and prototype of a new version of the wearable wireless EMG device The fifth chapter explains the rationale, process for development and intermediate steps leading to the development of a new design of the wireless EMG device. The chapter includes the steps involved in design and prototype of the new device. Chapter 6 – General discussion and future research directions The sixth and final chapter of this work includes a general discussion of the research. In particular, the limitations and future directions for research are highlighted. Chapter 7– Appendice