Participation of stress/anxiety on the alteration of PPT values in myogenic TMD patients

Author(s)

Gabriela Modesti Vedolin

• Document type: Master's Dissertation
• Press: Bauru.
• Institution: Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Faculdade de Odontologia de Bauru (FOB/SDB)
• Defense date: 2007-03-29

Examining board members

Paulo Cesar Rodrigues Conti; Cinara Maria Camparis; Vinícius Carvalho Porto

• Advisor: Paulo Cesar Rodrigues Conti

Abstract

The aim of this research was to evaluate the influence of stress and anxiety on the Pressure Pain Threshold (PPT) of the masticatory muscles and on the subjective pain report of dental students of the Bauru School of Dentistry (University of São Paulo, Brazil) at different situations. Forty-five females, matched for age, were divided into two groups: 29 presenting with myofascial pain, according to the RDC/TMD criteria, and 16 with no TMD signs or symptoms. PPT measurements were taken bilaterally at the masseter, anterior, middle and posterior temporalis muscles in four different occasions throughout the academic year. The Achilles tendon was used as control. In order to quantify emotional or affective reactions under stress/anxiety situations, the sample were requested to fill out multidimensional questionnaires, such as the Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI) and the Lipp Inventory for Stress Symptoms (LISS). In addition, pain levels were registered with a Visual Analog Scale (VAS). Data obtained were submitted to statistical analysis (ANOVA, Tukey, Friedman, and Mann-Whitney tests), at a 5% significance level. The VAS and PPT had a negative correlation, regardless the period, and group studied (p<.05). Higher levels of stress and anxiety were detected at the time of school examinations for both groups, with a strong association with decreased PPT figures (p<.05). Stress and anxiety, however, were not statistically different between groups. It can be concluded that external stressors as academic examinations have a potential impact on the masticatory muscle tenderness, regardless the presence of a previous condition, such as the masticatory myofascial pain. (AU)