Optimal Electrode Configuration for Masseter Vestibular-Evoked Myogenic Potential: A Comparison Between Zygomatic and Forehead Electrode Montages.

Abstract

Background: The masseter vestibular-evoked myogenic potential (mVEMP) is a short-latency electromyographic potential that assesses the integrity of the vestibule–masseteric reflex pathway. Due to limited normative studies, there is no optimal mVEMP protocol to be implemented clinically. Apart from the conventional electrode configuration, a naïve montage referred to as the forehead reference has been used in recent studies.Purpose: This study compared latency and amplitude parameters of mVEMP between the zygomatic and forehead electrode configurations to address the optimal electrode montage to elicit mVEMP.Research Design: Cross-sectional research study.Study Sample: Thirty healthy participants (mean age: 23.3 years; 14 males and 16 females).Data Collection and Analysis: Participants underwent mVEMP testing under two-electrode montage conditions (zygomatic and forehead reference electrode montages).Results: Statistically significant increases in P1 latency, decrease in N1 latency, reduction of P1-N1 interpeak interval, enlargement of both unrectified and electromyography-rectified amplitudes, and lower interaural amplitude asymmetry ratio were observed for the forehead electrode montage compared to the conventional zygomatic montage.Conclusions: mVEMP response waveforms obtained using forehead reference electrode montage are superior to the zygomatic montage. Hence, the forehead montage is suggested for further research on mVEMP.