Electromyographic Evaluation of Masticatory Muscle Activity in Individuals with and without Cleft Lip/Palate: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

Abstract

Objective: This study aims to systematically review and meta-analyze the electromyographic activity of masticatory muscles in cleft palate and non-cleft patients, and identify influencing factors. Design: Systematic Review and Meta-analysis Patients and Exposures: Patients with cleft lip/ palate Comparison: Patients without CL/P. Main Outcome Measures: Electrical activity of masseter and temporalis muscles at rest and during peak activation Results: After a comprehensive search in MEDLINE, Web of Science, EMBASE, Scopus, and Cochrane's CENTRAL up to December 2022, without language or date restrictions. Eligible trials were selected based on the PECO question and assessed for bias using Cochrane's ROBINS-E tool. Eight clinical trials with 474 participants were included in the review. Then relevant data was extracted from included studies using customized forms. A random-effects meta-analysis was performed to combine the results of the studies, meta-analyses showed that CL/P patients have elevated electrical activity in the masseter (P =.01) and temporalis (P =