Diagnostic characterization of secondary headaches to myogenic temporomandibular disorders: a controlled study

Author(s)

Yuri Martins Costa

• Document type: Master's Dissertation
• Press: Bauru.
• Institution: Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Faculdade de Odontologia de Bauru (FOB/SDB)
• Defense date: 2013-05-27

Examining board members

Paulo Cesar Rodrigues Conti; Luiz Fernando Pegoraro; Renato Oliveira Ferreira da Silva

• Advisor: Paulo Cesar Rodrigues Conti

Abstract

Masticatory myofascial pain (MMF) is often associated with headache. Nevertheless, it is unclear whether this relationship occurs with primary or secondary headaches. The purpose of this study was to describe the characteristics of headache attributed to MMF, considered as such, one that improved after treatment of muscle condition. The effect of different treatments types in the improvement of headache associated with MMF, and the impact of the presence of headache on the improvement of facial pain intensity were also evaluated. The sample was comprised of MMF adults according to the RDC / TMD, with (n = 60) and without (n = 20) headache complaints. The 60 subjects with headache were divided into two groups (1a and 1b). The first group received only counseling for behavioral changes. Groups 1b and 2 (without headache), besides counseling, also received occlusal splint. Evaluations were done at baseline, 2 months and after the end of the 5th month. The intensities of facial pain and headache (VAS), and the pressure pain threshold (PPT) of the anterior temporalis, masseter and forearm were recorded. Repeated measures ANOVA, Friedman test and Wilcoxon test were used for comparisons within and between groups considering a 5% significance level. There was a significant reduction in headache intensity and frequency in both groups. The baseline mean was 7.55 ± 2.24 for the group 1a and 6.52 ± 1.63 for group 1b. In the final evaluation these values was respectively, 3.13 ± 2.19 and 2.5 ± 2.33. There was not difference between groups. There was also a reduction in headache frequency between baseline and final evaluation in groups 1a and 1b. There was a reduction in facial pain intensity in all groups. The baseline mean was 6.34 ± 2 in group 1a, 6.14 ± 1.94 for group 1b and 4.77 ± 1.57 for group 2. In the final evaluation these values were 1.66 ± 1.29, 2.3 ± 2.53 and 2.17 ± 1.17 with no difference between groups. There was an increase in the anterior temporalis PPT values for the group 1b (p = 0.01) and the masseter in group 2 (p = 0.01). The between groups comparison showed differences between the group 1a and 2 in the 2 months evaluation for anterior temporalis (p = 0.02). It is concluded that MMF treatment is effective in the improvement of headache attributed to TMD, regardless of the use of occlusal splint. Indeed the main characteristics of this headache were the long duration (more than 4 hours), bilateral location and pressure/tight quality. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 11/04441-6 - Diagnostic characterization of secondary headaches to temporomandibular disorders in masticatory muscles: a controlled study
• Grantee: Yuri Martins Costa
• Support type: Scholarships in Brazil - Master