Widespread mechanical pain hypersensitivity in patients with chronic migraine and temporomandibular disorders: relationship and correlation between psychological and sensorimotor variables.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to assess mechanical hyperalgesia in the trigeminal and extra-trigeminal regions in patients with chronic migraine (CM) and temporomandibular disorders (TMD) in comparison to asymptomatic subjects and to determine the association between sensorimotor variables and psychological and disability variables and evaluate the prediction of a sensorimotor variables though psychological and disability variables in patients with CM and TMD. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A total of 52 subjects with concomitant CM and TMD and 30 asymptomatic subjects were included in the study. The pressure pain threshold (PPT), maximal mouth opening (MMO) and a series of self-reported factors were compared. RESULTS: There were 52 CM and TMD (92.3% women and 7.7% men; age = 46.2 ± 9.5) and 30 asymptomatic subjects (80% women and 20% men; age = 47.4 ± 10). Differences were found between patients with CM and TMD and asymptomatic participants (p < .01) when comparing the PPTs in the trigeminal and extra-trigeminal regions. The PPT for the trigeminal region was predicted by depressive symptoms (variance of 18%) as well as disability and craniofacial pain (variance of 20%). The extra-trigeminal region PPT was predicted by depressive symptoms (variance of 10%), and pain-free MMO was predicted by disability and craniofacial pain (variance of 24%). CONCLUSIONS: This study suggests that patients with CM and TMD present with generalized mechanical hyperalgesia. In addition, an association between sensorimotor, psychological and disability variables was observed.

Effects of a Physical Therapy Protocol in Patients with Chronic Migraine and Temporomandibular Disorders: A Randomized, Single-Blinded, Clinical Trial.

AIMS: To investigate the effects of adding orofacial treatment to cervical physical therapy in patients with chronic migraine and temporomandibular disorders (TMD). METHODS: A total of 45 participants with chronic migraine and TMD aged 18 to 65 years were randomized into two groups: a cervical group (CG) and a cervical and orofacial group (COG). Both groups continued their medication regimens for migraine treatment and received physical therapy. The CG received physical therapy only in the cervical region, and the COG received physical therapy in both the cervical and orofacial regions. Both groups received six sessions of treatment that consisted of manual therapy and therapeutic exercise in the cervical region or the cervical and orofacial regions. Scores on the Craniofacial Pain and Disability Inventory (CF-PDI) and the Headache Impact Test (HIT-6) were primary outcome variables, and the secondary outcome variables were scores on the Tampa Scale for Kinesiophobia (TSK-11), pain intensity measured on a visual analog scale (VAS), pressure pain thresholds (PPTs) in the temporal, masseter (2 points, M1 and M2) and extratrigeminal (wrist) regions, and maximal mouth opening (MMO). Data were recorded at baseline, posttreatment, and after 12 weeks of follow-up. The α level was set at .05 for all tests and two-way repeated-measures analysis of variance (ANOVA) for within- and between-group interactions. RESULTS: There were 22 CG participants (13.6% men and 86.4% women) and 23 COG participants (13% men and 87% women). The ANOVA analysis revealed statistically significant differences for group × time interaction in CF-PDI, HIT-6 in the last follow-up, pain intensity, PPTs in the trigeminal region, and MMO (P < .05), with a medium-large magnitude of effect. No statistically significant differences were found in the PPTs of the extratrigeminal region or in the TSK-11 (P > .05). CONCLUSION: Both groups reported a significant improvement in CF-PDI, HIT-6, and pain intensity. Cervical and orofacial treatment was more effective than cervical treatment alone for increasing PPTs in the trigeminal region and producing pain-free MMO. Physical therapy alone was not effective for increasing the PPTs in the extratrigeminal region (wrist) or decreasing the level of TSK-11.