Jaw and neck muscle activity during chewing and craniocervical dysfunction index in children, adolescents, and adults with and without cystic fibrosis: a comparative analysis.

Objective: To compare masticatory muscle activity between people with cystic fibrosis (pwCF) and healthy controls and to verify whether craniocervical dysfunction is associated with the presence of CF.

Methods: Fifty-six participants were assessed and divided into pwCF and healthy control (HC) groups, each one composed of 13 children and adolescents at 9 (SD 3) years old and 15 adults at 25 (SD 6) years old. Craniocervical Dysfunction Index assessed symptoms of dysfunction and cervical spine mobility. Electromyography was used to evaluate the jaw and neck muscle activity during chewing.

Results: Muscle activity during chewing was not statistically different between groups. Prevalence of craniocervical dysfunction was 75% for pwCF vs 64% for healthy controls. Individuals with CF are 1.53 [1.260, 1.870] times more likely to have reduced cervical mobility compared to healthy controls ( = 0.000).

Conclusion: These results reinforce the need for musculoskeletal disorders treatment in the management of pwCF.