A computer program for automated scoring of exteroceptive suppression periods

Exteroceptive suppression CES) of temporalis muscle activity has received r ecent attention as a method of investigating central mechanisms in the path ogenesis of chronic headache disorders. Unfortunately, the resolution of co nflicting findings has been hampered by the use of different assessment and scoring methodologies across laboratories, which has limited the direct co mparison of findings across studies. A computer program was developed with the goal of providing an automated and reliable method of scoring ES respon ses. Processing an ES response with this software provides both visual and quantitative information relating to various response parameters. Multiple levels of smoothing the raw waveform. data are available, and the software offers scoring on the basis of multiple depth-of-suppression criteria. The program also generates values for a variety of ES parameters: Latency, dura tion, area, maximum level of suppression with its corresponding time (msec) , and baseline level of muscle activity. It is likely that a reliable and s tandardized scoring protocol would enhance comparability of ES data generat ed across different settings.