Methodological Framework for Integrated Surface Electromyography and Mandibular Kinematics in Swallowing Analysis

Swallowing requires coordinated activation of orofacial muscles and mandibular motion. Although clinical assessment often relies on observation or imaging, surface electromyography (sEMG) provides a non-invasive means of quantifying muscle activity. The aim of this study was to describe a standardized methodological framework for the synchronized acquisition, processing, and visualization of surface electromyographic and mandibular kinematic signals during saliva swallowing.

A retrospective methodological framework was developed using synchronized sEMG and mandibular kinematic recordings obtained during routine neuromuscular evaluations. Standardized procedures for signal acquisition, synchronization, preprocessing, and visualization were defined to ensure reproducible descriptive analysis of voluntary and spontaneous saliva swallowing.

Application of the protocol enabled synchronized visualization of electromyographic activity and three-dimensional mandibular trajectories during voluntary and spontaneous saliva swallowing. The framework allowed consistent identification of temporal relationships between muscle activation patterns and mandibular displacement and facilitated qualitative inspection of signal morphology, activation sequences, and movement coordination.

This methodological framework provides a standardized approach for documenting swallowing-related muscular and mandibular events using synchronized sEMG and mandibular kinematic recordings. It is intended as a methodological reference for future research and as a foundation for the development of quantitative analytical approaches.