Facial EMG responses to auditory stimuli. 1996

L Jäncke, and J Vogt, and F Musial, and K Lutz, and K T Kalveram
Institut für Allgemeine Psychologie, Heinrich-Heine-Universität, Düsseldorf, Germany. lutz.jaencke@uni-duesseldorf.de

Three studies were performed to investigate the effects of auditory stimuli (pure tones and environmental noise) of different intensities on surface EMG activity recorded over five facial muscle regions (M. frontalis lateralis, M. corrugator supercilii, M. orbicularis oculi, M. zygomaticus major, M. depressor anguli oris). The results show that with presentation of tones and noises of high intensity (> 85 dB) strong facial EMG reactions over muscles of the upper face (M. frontalis lateralis, M. corrugator supercilii, M. orbicularis oculi) were evoked. Among environmental noises of different valence but the same intensity, baby's crying evoked EMG reactions over facial muscles in the mouth region, possibly indicating that the subjects demonstrated expressions of dislike during this particular stimulation. It is also discussed whether facial EMG reactions to auditory stimulation of different intensities could be connected to changes in muscle tone of the middle ear muscles. The contraction of these muscles modulates sensitivity to auditory stimulation. Thus, facial EMG activity of the muscles of the upper face could serve as an indicator of sensitivity to external auditory stimuli. However, the evaluation of pleasant and unpleasant emotional reactions in response to auditory stimulation seems to be impossible.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D008297 Male Males
D009622 Noise Any sound which is unwanted or interferes with HEARING other sounds. Noise Pollution,Noises,Pollution, Noise
D011312 Pressure A type of stress exerted uniformly in all directions. Its measure is the force exerted per unit area. (McGraw-Hill Dictionary of Scientific and Technical Terms, 6th ed) Pressures
D004576 Electromyography Recording of the changes in electric potential of muscle by means of surface or needle electrodes. Electromyogram,Surface Electromyography,Electromyograms,Electromyographies,Electromyographies, Surface,Electromyography, Surface,Surface Electromyographies
D004644 Emotions Those affective states which can be experienced and have arousing and motivational properties. Feelings,Regret,Emotion,Feeling,Regrets
D004777 Environment The external elements and conditions which surround, influence, and affect the life and development of an organism or population. Environmental Impact,Environmental Impacts,Impact, Environmental,Impacts, Environmental,Environments
D005152 Facial Muscles Muscles of facial expression or mimetic muscles that include the numerous muscles supplied by the facial nerve that are attached to and move the skin of the face. (From Stedman, 25th ed) Mimetic Muscles,Facial Muscle,Mimetic Muscle,Muscle, Facial,Muscle, Mimetic,Muscles, Facial,Muscles, Mimetic
D005260 Female Females
D006801 Humans Members of the species Homo sapiens. Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D000161 Acoustic Stimulation Use of sound to elicit a response in the nervous system. Auditory Stimulation,Stimulation, Acoustic,Stimulation, Auditory

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