Background & Aims
The term “temporomandibular joint dysfunction” (TMJ dysfunction) refers to a range of anatomical and functional problems, with or without clinical signs and symptoms, that affect the TMJ and/or the chewing muscles [1]. It is more frequent in women and young people ages between 20 and 40. Its frequency ranges from 28% to 88% [2]. This condition is frequently disregarded because of inadequate diagnosis [3]. Furthermore, even though pain is one of the main complain of TMJ dysfunction, it can sometimes occur without any symptoms. Thus, in addition to pain, additional TMJ-related factors need to be taken into account. Therefore, the aim of the study is to compaire of self-proprioception and pain parameters including pain threshold, pain tolerance, and temporal summation in young adults.
Methods
In the study, young adults aged 18-25 were included and TMJ dysfunction was measured using the Fonseca questionnaire. Based on Fonseca scores, two groups were formed: those with scores over 20 were named “with TMJ dysfunction,” and the others “without TMJ dysfunction.” Self-proprioception was assessed using the Fremantle Neck Awareness Questionnaire. Pain assessment including pain threshold, tolerance, and temporal summation assessed by pressure algometer. The “pain threshold” is the point at which a person first feels pain, the “pain tolerance” is the last point that a person can tolerate, and the “temporal summation” is the first painful threshold evaluated after 10 repeats of the pain threshold.
Results
The study included 48 young individuals with similar demographics, aged 22.34±1.33 years.
There were no significant difference in between groups in terms of pain threshold, pain tolerance, and pain summation while there was a significant difference in between groups in terms of self-proprioception (p=0.29, p=0.53, p=0.25, p=0.04,; in that order).
Conclusions
In young adults, there is no significant difference in terms of pain parameters related to TMJ dysfunction; however, there is a difference in terms of self-proprioception.TMJ dysfunction can appear even in the absence of pain. Because of this, young people with TMJ dysfunction may be more vulnerable to problems in the cervical region and have an increased risk to experience neck injuries.
References
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2.Shen, S., et al., MRI and DC/TMD methods analyze the diagnostic accuracy of the change in articular disc of temporomandibular joint. Computational and Mathematical Methods in Medicine, 2022. 2022.
3.Türken, R., S.K. Büyük, and Y. Yasin, Di? Hekimli?i Fakültesi Ö?rencilerinde Temporomandibular Eklem Rahats?zl?klar?n?n ve A??z Sa?l??? Al??kanl?klar?n?n De?erlendirilmesi. Ac?badem Üniversitesi Sa?l?k Bilimleri Dergisi, 2020(2): p. 208-213.
4.Pires, P. F., de Castro, E. M., Pelai, E. B., de Arruda, A. B. C., & Rodrigues-Bigaton, D. (2018). Analysis of the accuracy and reliability of the Short-Form Fonseca Anamnestic Index in the diagnosis of myogenous temporomandibular disorder in women. Brazilian journal of physical therapy, 22(4), 276-282.
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Presenting Author
Nagihan Acet
Poster Authors
Sena Begen
MSc
Atilim University, Facultyof Health Sciences Department of Physiotherapy and Re
Lead Author
Topics
- Assessment and Diagnosis