RESUMO
OBJECTIVES: The objective of this study was to evaluate the electromyographic fatigue of the masseter and temporalis muscles in individuals with and without osteoporosis. METHODS: Median frequency of the initial, mid, and final periods of the electromyographic signal in the 33 subjects with osteoporosis (OG) and 33 subjects without osteoporosis [control (CG)] was analyzed. RESULTS: OG showed a decrease in median frequency along the electromyographic signal, with a significant difference for the right masseter: initial vs. mid periods, initial vs. final periods; left masseter: initial vs. final periods; temporal (right and left): initial vs. mid periods, initial vs. final periods, and mid vs. final periods. Percentage comparison of median frequency between the initial and mid periods and between initial and final periods in the OG showed a significant difference in the masticatory muscles. DISCUSSION: The findings suggest that osteoporosis is associated with changes in the function of masticatory muscles, especially when measured by electromyographic fatigue.