Masticatory Side Change and Masticatory Function.
Condition: Chewing Problem; Mastication Disorder
Study type: Interventional

Summary: 
      The primary objective of this study is to establish the effect of the frequency of
      masticatory side switches on masticatory performance. We also want to know the effect of the
      frequency of masticatory side switches on the masticatory rhythm. Twenty-eight healthy
      volunteers will undertake masticatory tests, following a series of instructions given at the
      moment. These volunteers will take a re-test in two-weeks time. The sequence of these tests
      will be randomized in such a way that, each participant will initially perform an established
      sequence of "freestyle, only-right, and only-left" masticatory tests, and then will carry out
      one of the 6 possible combinations of "A1, A3, and A5". These tests will be recorded on video
      to assess, on slow playback, the change of the chewing side, and the masticatory
      rhythm.Masticatory performance will be determined by sieving the silicone particles.
    

Detailed description: 
      This crossover intervention study aims to assess the effect of the degree of alternance of
      the chewing side on various aspects of masticatory function, including masticatory
      performance and rhythm. Twenty-eight volunteers will take part, recruited for convenience,
      among friends and relatives of the teachers and students of the Degree of Dentistry of the
      Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences of the University of Barcelona. These individuals
      will perform masticatory tests and, after a period of two weeks, will repeat them as a
      re-test. Each participant will perform 6 tests, each consisting of 5 assays, chewing a small
      latex bag containing a few silicone tablets (2 g) during 20 masticatory cycles. One test
      involves freestyle mastication in which the participant will be asked to chew the latex bag
      naturally. Two tests involve chewing the bag unilaterally (i.e., right-hand side in one and
      left-hand side in the other) and the order of their assays will be varied. For the last three
      tests, the participant will change the chewing side 1 (A1), 3 (A3), or 5 (A5) times
      respectively; the sequence of the assays will be randomized. The masticatory performance will
      be determined by the "median particle size" (MPS), and the masticatory rhythm will be
      assessed through the masticatory frequency as the ratio of masticatory cycle number to
      masticatory time. The control variables will include age and sex.
    

Intervention name(s): F; R; L; A1; A3; A5
Intervention type(s): Behavioral; Behavioral; Behavioral; Behavioral; Behavioral; Behavioral
Intervention description(s): The participant will be asked to chew the latex bag naturally.; The participant will be asked to chew the latex bag unilaterally on the right-side.; The participant will be asked to chew the latex bag unilaterally on the left-side.; The participant will be asked to chew the latex bag changing the side once.; The participant will be asked to chew the latex bag changing the side three times.; The participant will be asked to chew the latex bag changing the side five times.
Allocation: Randomized
Intervention model: Crossover Assignment
Masking: None (Open Label)
Primary purpose: Basic Science
Keywords: Chewing side; Masticatory side switch; Mastication; Masticatory rhythm; Masticatory performance