The role of parafunctions, emotions and stress in predicting facial pain

ABSTRACT Background The authors conducted a study to examine the degree to which parafunctions and emotional states predicted jaw pain in subjects with temporomandibular disorder (TMD) and control subjects. Methods Ninety-six subjects diagnosed with myofascial pain, myofascial pain and arthralgia, disk displacement or no TMD symptoms participated. The authors used experience sampling methodology to collect data on pain, behaviors and emotions. They paged subjects approximately every two hours, but not during sleep. When paged, subjects completed a brief questionnaire containing rating scales of jaw pain, masticatory muscle tension, time and intensity of tooth contact, mood and stress level. Results Analyses of variance showed that groups differed significantly ( P Conclusions Parafunctional behaviors, especially those that increase muscle tension, and emotional states are good predictors of jaw pain levels in patients with TMD and healthy control subjects. Clinical Implications Treatment that helps patients reduce parafunctions, excess masticatory muscle tension, stress and emotional distress should be effective in reducing TMD pain.