Reliability of an intraoral extension for intraoral palpation and assessment of mechanical sensitivity of the temporal tendon.

BACKGROUND: The temporal tendon is a structure often compromised in patients suffering from temporomandibular disorders (TMD), yet its intraoral location makes a standardised assessment difficult. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the variability and accuracy to target force of a newly designed intraoral extension for a palpometer device (Palpeter, Sunstar Suisse) when compared to manual palpation, in addition to clinically assessing the mechanical sensitivity and referred sensations of the temporal tendon in healthy individuals. METHODS: Experiment 1: 12 individuals were asked to target on a scale 0.5, 1 and 2 kg, for 2 and 5 s by using five different methods (Palpeter, Palpeter with three different extension shapes and manual palpation). Experiment 2: 10 healthy participants were recruited for a randomised double-blinded assessment by applying pressure of 0.5, 1 and 2 kg to the right temporal tendon with the three extensions and manual palpation. Participants rated the intensity of their sensation/pain on a 0-50-100 numeric rating scale (NRS), unpleasantness on a 0-100 NRS, and if present, they rated and drew the location of referred sensations. Repeated measures analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used in both experiments to compare differences between palpation methods. Tukey's HSD tests were used for the post hoc comparisons, and p values below .05 were considered significant. RESULTS: Experiment 1: The extensions showed no significant differences between them regarding reliability and accuracy for all forces and durations (p > .05). The manual method was significantly less reliable and accurate when compared to the other methods (p < .05). Experiment 2: There were no significant differences between the Palpeter extensions regarding pain intensity or unpleasantness NRS scores (p > .05), but all the extensions had significantly increased pain intensity and unpleasantness when compared to manual palpation (p < .05). Similarly, the frequency of referred sensations was similar between extensions but increased when compared to manual palpation. CONCLUSIONS: The new Palpeter extensions proved to be significantly more accurate and have lower test-retest variability than the manual method in a non-clinical setting. Clinically, they showed no significant differences in NRS scores for pain intensity nor unpleasantness, with no major differences in referred sensations, making any of the extensions suitable for clinical testing of the temporal tendon in future studies.

The prevalence of persistent post-traumatic headache in adult civilian traumatic brain injury: a systematic review and meta-analysis on the past 14 years.

ABSTRACT: The most recent prevalence estimate of post-traumatic headache (PTH) after traumatic brain injury (TBI) in veterans and civilians dates back to 2008. The prevalence was found to be 57.8%, with surprising higher rates (75.3%) in mild TBI when compared with those with moderate/severe TBI (32.1%). However, the revision of mild TBI diagnostic criteria and an historic peak of TBI in the elderly individuals attributed to the ageing population may lead to different results. Thus, we conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to assess the updated prevalence of PTH during the past 14 years only in civilians. A literature search was conducted following PRISMA guidelines guided by a librarian. Screening, full-text assessment, data extraction, and risk of bias assessment were performed blindly by 2 raters. Meta-analysis of proportions using the Freeman and Tukey double arcsine method of transformation was conducted. Heterogeneity, sensitivity analysis, and meta-regressions were performed with the predictors: year of publication, mean age, sex, TBI severity, and study design. Sixteen studies were selected for the qualitative analysis and 10 for the meta-analysis. The overall prevalence estimate of PTH was 47.1%, (confidence interval = 34.6, 59.8, prediction intervals = 10.8, 85.4), being similar at different time points (3, 6, 12, and 36+ months). Heterogeneity was high, and none of the meta-regressions were significant. The overall prevalence of PTH after TBI over the past 14 years remains high even if assessed only in civilians. However, the prevalence rates attributed to mild and moderate/severe TBI were similar, differing significantly from previous reports. Efforts are needed to improve TBI outcomes.

Referred sensations in the orofacial region are associated with a decreased descending pain inhibition and modulated by remote noxious stimuli and local anesthesia.

ABSTRACT: Referred sensation (RS) as a specific clinical phenomenon has been known for a long time, although the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. The aims of this study were to assess if (1) healthy individuals who experienced RS had a less active endogenous pain system when compared with those who did not; (2) activation of descending pain inhibition mechanisms can modulate RS parameters; and finally, (3) a transient decrease in peripheral afferent input because of a local anesthetic (LA) block in the masseter muscle can modulate RS parameters. To assess these, 50 healthy participants were assessed in 3 different sessions. In the first session, conditioned pain modulation (CPM) as well as mechanical sensitivity and RS at the masseter muscle were assessed. In the same session, participants who experienced RS had their mechanical sensitivity and RS assessed again while undergoing a CPM protocol. In the second and third sessions, participants had their mechanical sensitivity and RS assessed before and after receiving an injection of 2 mL of LA and isotonic saline into the masseter muscle. The main findings of this study were (1) participants who experienced RS during standardized palpation exhibited increased mechanical sensitivity ( P < 0.05, Tukey post hoc test) and decreased CPM ( P < 0.05, Tukey post hoc test) when compared with those who did not; RS incidence ( P < 0.05, Cochran Q test), frequency ( P < 0.05; Friedman test), intensity ( P < 0.05, Tukey post hoc test), and area ( P < 0.05, Tukey post hoc test) were all significantly reduced when assessed (2) during a painful conditioning stimulus and (3) after LA block. These novel findings highlight that RS in the orofacial region are strongly modified by both peripheral and central nervous system factors.

Referred sensation location can be altered by a strong heterotopic nociceptive stimulus: implications for clinical pain conditions.

ABSTRACT: Referred sensations (RS) are a common clinical phenomenon in patients with musculoskeletal pain; however, the underlying mechanisms of RS and implications for diagnosis and management are poorly understood. The location of referral seems to have a preferred site, but studies have suggested it can be redirected to a site of previous injury and pain. However, it is not known if the same phenomenon can occur for a much shorter-lasting painful stimulus in the trigeminal system. The aim of this study was to assess if RS location elicited with standardized palpation of the masseter muscle could be altered following a 10-minute painful infusion of hypertonic saline into the retromolar region. A total of 56 healthy participants participated in this cross-over study performed in 2 sessions separated by 1 hour. At each session, baseline and postinfusion assessments of masseter muscle mechanical sensitivity were performed using 2 different forces (0.5 kg and 2 kg). Between assessments, hypertonic saline (5%) or isotonic saline (control) were continuously infused into the retromolar region. Participants were asked to rate their mechanical sensitivity and any RS they experienced as well as to draw the location of the RS. No difference in mechanical sensitivity or RS frequency was seen after either infusion when compared with before infusion. However, the RS location was displaced on average 1.2 cm between the baseline and postinfusion assessments for the hypertonic saline infusion, which was significantly increased when compared with the isotonic saline infusion which was on average 0.4 cm. These novel findings indicate the potential to modify the location of RS in the trigeminal system following a relatively brief noxious input. Clinicians need to be aware of the possible rerouting of RS in patients with complex orofacial pain.

Location of mechanically-evoked referred sensations within the trigeminal region are not altered following a heterotopic painful stimulus.

To investigate whether the location, area and frequency of referred sensations occurring during palpation of the masseter muscle can be influenced by application of a conditioning painful stimulus to the temporalis muscle. Thirty healthy participants were included in this cross-over study, performed in two sessions with > 48 h in between. At each session, palpation of the masseter muscle was performed before and after 0.2 ml of glutamate (1 mol/L) or isotonic saline (control) were injected into the anterior portion of the temporalis muscle. Palpation of the masseter muscle was done using four different forces (0.5 kg, 1 kg, 2 kg and 4 kg). Participants rated the perceived intensity of the palpation and any referred sensations on a 0-50-100 numeric rating scale, the perceived pain intensity following the injections on an electronic visual analogue scale and drew any referred sensations they experienced. No difference in referred sensations location, area and frequency was shown r during palpation either before or after injections (P > 0.05). A moderate correlation was found between perceived sensation scores and referred sensations intensity for the temporalis muscle following glutamate injection (r = 0.407, P < 0.05). Moreover, significantly more participants reported referred sensations for glutamate injections into the temporalis muscle when compared to isotonic saline (P < 0.05). Finally, a significant decrease in the perceived intensity of palpation of the masseter muscle was seen after glutamate injection in the temporalis muscle (P < 0.05). In the current study, location, area and frequency of referred sensations following mechanical stimulation of the masseter muscle were not altered by the application of a painful stimulus to the temporalis muscle. In addition, there seems to be a positive relationship between painful stimuli and referred sensations frequency and intensity elicited from the temporalis muscle.

Effect of standardized training in combination with masseter sensitization on corticomotor excitability in bruxer and control individuals: a proof of concept study.

Recently, it has been proposed that bruxism could represent an overlearned behavior due to the absence of corticomotor plasticity following a relevant tooth-clenching task (TCT). This study assessed the modulatory effects of a nerve growth factor (NGF) injection on masseter muscle corticomotor excitability, jaw motor performance, pain, and limitation in bruxer and control participants following a TCT. Participants characterized as definitive bruxers or controls were randomly assigned to have injected into the right masseter muscle either NGF or isotonic saline (IS), resulting in a study with 4 arms: IS_Control (n = 7), IS_Bruxer (n = 7); NGF_Control (n = 6), and NGF_Bruxer (n = 8). The primary outcome was the masseter motor evoked potential (MEP) amplitude measured at baseline and after a TCT. After the interventions, significantly higher and lower MEP amplitude and corticomotor map area were observed, respectively, in the IS_Control and NGF_Control groups (P < 0.05). Precision and accuracy depended on the series and target force level with significant between-group differences (P < 0.01). NGF-induced masseter muscle sensitization, in combination with a training-induced effect, can significantly impact the corticomotor excitability of the masseter muscle in control participants indicating substantial changes in corticomotor excitability, which are not observed in bruxers. These preliminary findings may have therapeuthic implications for the potential to "detrain" and manage bruxism, but further studies with larger sample sizes will be needed to test this new concept.

Peripheral N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor activation contributes to monosodium glutamate-induced headache but not nausea behaviours in rats.

Monosodium glutamate induces behaviors thought to reflect headache and nausea in rats. We explored the effects of the N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor antagonist (2R)-amino-5-phosphonovaleric acid, the inotropic glutamate receptor antagonist kynurenic acid, and the CGRP receptor antagonist olcegepant, on monosodium glutamate-induced increases in nocifensive, headache-like and nausea behaviours. Effects of these antagonists on motor function were examined with a rotarod. The effect of the dopamine receptor antagonist metoclopramide and the serotonin 3 receptor antagonist ondansetron on nausea behaviour was also assessed. (2R)-amino-5-phosphonovaleric acid, and to a lesser extent, kynurenic acid and olcegepant, reduced nocifensive and headache-like behaviours evoked by monosodium glutamate. No alteration in motor function by (2R)-amino-5-phosphonovaleric acid, kynurenic acid or olcegepant was observed. No sex-related differences in the effectiveness of these agents were identified. Nausea behaviour was significantly more pronounced in male than in female rats. Olcegepant, ondansetron and metoclopramide ameliorated this nausea behaviour in male rats. Ondansetron and metoclopramide also reduced headache-like behaviour in male rats. These findings suggest that peripheral N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor activation underlies monosodium glutamate-induced headache-like behaviour but does not mediate the nausea behaviour in rats.

Mechanical sensitivity changes in pericranial muscles after local anesthesia and experimentally induced pain in the temporalis tendon: Implications for headache and facial pain.

OBJECTIVES: To assess changes in mechanical sensitivity of the pericranial muscles in healthy individuals after a local anesthetic block of the temporalis tendon. In addition, to assess, if experimentally induced temporalis tendon pain, can lead to an increase in mechanical sensitivity of the pericranial muscles and reports of headache. METHODS: 40 healthy participants were recruited for this randomized, double-blinded, controlled experiment, and were randomly injected with mepivacaine and isotonic saline into the dominant-side temporalis tendon in two different sessions, and either nerve growth factor (n = 20) or isotonic saline (n = 20) in a third session. Mechanical sensitivity was assessed in the temporalis, masseter, and trapezius muscles as well as in the temporalis tendon, on the dominant side, before and 10 minutes after each injection, and in a fourth session two days after the third session. Pain drawings and headache diaries were kept for 30 days after the final session to register any developing pain or headache. RESULTS: Mepivacaine injection into the temporalis tendon caused a significant decrease in mechanical sensitivity in the temporal tendon (-54.5%) and the masseter (-15.4%) muscle (P < 0.05) but not the temporalis (-12.1%) and trapezius muscles (-12.7%) (P > 0.05). Nerve growth factor injection into the temporalis tendon caused a significant increase in mechanical sensitivity in the tendon (+15.4%) and masseter muscle (+14.4%) (P < 0.05) but not the temporalis (+2.8%) or trapezius muscles (+3.1%) (P > 0.05). A significant increase was found for headache frequency in the first seven days (P < 0.05) after nerve growth factor injection compared to after isotonic saline injection, but not intensity (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: These findings suggest that the therapeutic effect of temporalis tendon anesthetic injections on facial pain and headaches are most likely not only due to a direct effect of the local anesthetic on the temporalis tendon but rather to a more generalized block of the nerves in the area. In addition, the temporal tendon may contribute to the pathophysiological processes of headache.

Systemic administration of monosodium glutamate induces sexually dimorphic headache- and nausea-like behaviours in rats.

ABSTRACT: Ingestion of monosodium glutamate (MSG) causes headache, nausea, and craniofacial tenderness in healthy individuals. The present study explored whether MSG produces behavioural signs of headache, nausea, and changes in craniofacial sensitivity in rats. The behavior of male and female Sprague-Dawley rats was video recorded before and after intraperitoneal (i.p.) injections of MSG (1-1000 mg/kg), nitroglycerin (GTN, 10 mg/kg), or normal saline. Behaviors (grimace score, head-flicks, rearing, head scratches, facial grooming, lying-on-belly, and temporalis muscle region mechanical withdrawal threshold) were evaluated. Facial cutaneous temperature of the nose and forehead was measured before and after i.p. injections via infrared thermography. Plasma glutamate and calcitonin gene-related peptide concentrations after administration of 1000 mg/kg MSG were measured in anesthetized rats. Monosodium glutamate induced nocifensive, headache-like, and nausea-like behaviors in a dose-related manner but had no effect on mechanical threshold. Monosodium glutamate (1000 mg/kg) induced a significantly greater frequency of headache-like behavior in females but a longer duration of nausea-like behavior in males. Monosodium glutamate produced a prolonged increase in plasma glutamate and calcitonin gene-related peptide concentrations. Co-administration of the median effective dose of MSG (350 mg/kg) with GTN (10 mg/kg) amplified headache-like behaviors, induced significant craniofacial sensitivity, and produced increased nausea-like behaviour. Co-administration of sumatriptan or naproxen with MSG (1000 mg/kg) significantly attenuated MSG-induced nocifensive and headache-like behaviors. Our data suggest that systemic administration of MSG to rats induces behavioral correlates of headache and nausea. This model may offer another avenue for research on the mechanism and treatment of primary headache disorders such as migraine.

Temporomandibular disorders cases with high-impact pain are more likely to experience short-term pain fluctuations.

Temporomandibular disorders (TMD) patients can present clinically significant jaw pain fluctuations which can be debilitating and lead to poor global health. The Graded Chronic Pain Scale evaluates pain-related disability and its dichotomous grading (high/low impact pain) can determine patient care pathways and in general high-impact pain patients have worse treatment outcomes. Individuals with low-impact TMD pain are thought to have better psychosocial functioning, more favorable disease course, and better ability to control pain, while individuals with high-impact pain can present with higher levels of physical and psychological symptoms. Thereby, there is reason to believe that individuals with low- and high-impact TMD pain could experience different pain trajectories over time. Our primary objective was to determine if short-term jaw pain fluctuations serve as a clinical marker for the impact status of TMD pain. To this end, we estimated the association between high/low impact pain status and jaw pain fluctuations over three visits (≤ 21-day-period) in 30 TMD cases. Secondarily, we measured the association between jaw pain intensity and pressure pain thresholds (PPT) over the face and hand, the latter measurements compared to matched pain-free controls (n = 17). Jaw pain fluctuations were more frequent among high-impact pain cases (n = 15) than low-impact pain cases (n = 15) (OR 5.5; 95% CI 1.2, 26.4; p value = 0.033). Jaw pain ratings were not associated with PPT ratings (p value > 0.220), suggesting different mechanisms for clinical versus experimental pain. Results from this proof-of-concept study suggest that targeted treatments to reduce short-term pain fluctuations in high-impact TMD pain is a potential strategy to achieve improved patient perception of clinical pain management outcomes.

Remote physical examination for temporomandibular disorders.

ABSTRACT: There is a need to further develop telemedicine approaches because of the immediate and perhaps long-term consequences of the coronavirus disease 2019. Thus, a remote protocol for assessment of patients with temporomandibular disorders (TMD) was developed, and the agreement of this protocol was compared with the guidelines of the Diagnostic Criteria for TMD (DC/TMD). A total of 16 individuals were first assessed by a reference standard examination (RSE) and 3 other examinations applied in a random order by 3 examiners: standard physical examination (standard examination), physical examination keeping 2-m distance (physical distanced examination), and examination conducted with the aid of video communication technology (video communication examination). The primary outcomes were the diagnoses of myalgia of the masseter and temporalis muscles and arthralgia. The diagnoses of intra-articular joint disorders were considered secondary outcomes because of a less impact on psychosocial functioning and quality of life when compared with the pain-related diagnoses. The Fleiss kappa coefficient and its 95% confidence interval were computed to determine the level of agreement in diagnoses between each examination protocol and the RSE. There was substantial to almost perfect agreement between the RSE and all the examination protocols for the diagnoses of myalgia (0.86-1.00) and arthralgia (0.74-0.87) (P < 0.001). On the other hand, there was an overall poor agreement (0.30-0.58) between the RSE and all the protocols for the diagnosis of disk displacement with reduction. Remote assessment of patients with pain-related TMD is feasible and presents a high degree of accuracy.

Pain in the temple? Headache, muscle pain or both: A retrospective analysis.

AIM: Headache attributed to temporomandibular disorders and myalgia are two diagnoses included in the diagnostic criteria for temporomandibular disorders (DC/TMD). However, it is not clear if these two diagnoses are different clinical entities given their similar presentation and way in which they are diagnosed, when the myalgia is within the temporalis muscle. The purpose of this retrospective study was to assess the overlap between headache attributed to temporomandibular disorders and myalgia of the temporalis muscle. METHODS: The charts of 671 patients seeking treatment at the Section of Orofacial Pain and Jaw Function, Aarhus University, Denmark, between January 2015 and February 2020 were screened for a diagnosis of headache attributed to temporomandibular disorders, myalgia of the temporalis muscle, or both. RESULTS: A total of 89 patients fulfilled the DC/TMD criteria for either headache attributed to TMD, myalgia of the temporalis or both. Of these, two had a diagnosis of headache attributed to TMD, 16 of myalgia of the temporalis, and 71 were diagnosed with both. In 97.3% of the times that headache attributed to temporomandibular disorders was diagnosed, the patient was also diagnosed with myalgia of the temporalis. The Jaccard index was 0.8, indicating a substantial overlap between the two diagnoses. Finally, the overlap of pain location between the two diagnoses was substantial, with a Jaccard index of 0.9. CONCLUSIONS: In the present study, headache attributed to temporomandibular disorders was almost exclusively diagnosed together with myalgia of the temporalis. Therefore, we propose that headache attributed to temporomandibular disorders and myalgia of the temporalis muscle have more clinical similarities than differences and as such could be considered one single clinical entity. Further studies will be needed to address the clinical consequences of this proposal.

Assessment of Pain Modulatory and Somatosensory Profiles in Chronic Tension-Type Headache Patients.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to thoroughly phenotype a group of chronic tension-type headache (CTTH) patients. METHODS: Fifteen CTTH patients diagnosed according to the International Classification of Headache Disorders-3 and 15 healthy controls were included in this study. Furthermore, 70 healthy controls were included to establish normative values. Quantitative sensory testing (QST), including temporal summation of pain (TSP), conditioned pain modulation (CPM), and psychological and sleep variables, was assessed in a single session. TSP and CPM were then combined to build pain modulation profiles (PMP) for each individual. RESULTS: No difference was found between groups for PMP, TSP, and CPM. However, 10 CTTH patients showed a pronociceptive PMP, with 8 related to a deficient CPM and 2 to both a deficient CPM and increased TSP. Increased cold detection thresholds were the most common sensory disturbance found in CTTH patients. Significant differences were seen between groups for pain catastrophizing, depression, and sleep quality although not all patient's scores were above the clinically meaningful cutoffs. CONCLUSIONS: In summary, CTTH patients presented with different PMP. These PMP may be related to increased TSP, deficient CPM, alterations in thermal detection that may be related to autonomic dysregulation, or a combination of all three. Overall, this suggests that due to their heterogeneous pathophysiology, CTTH patients should be managed according to their underlying pathophysiology and not with a one-size-fits-all approach.

Orofacial pain education in dentistry: A path to improving patient care and reducing the population burden of chronic pain.

Dentists stand in an optimal position to prevent and manage patients suffering from chronic orofacial pain (OFP) disorders, such as temporomandibular disorders, burning mouth syndrome, trigeminal neuralgia, persistent idiopathic dentoalveolar pain, among others. However, there are consistent reports highlighting a lack of knowledge and confidence in diagnosing and treating OFP among dental students, recent graduates, and trained dentists, which leads to misdiagnosis, unnecessary costs, delay in appropriate care and possible harm to patients. Education in OFP is necessary to improve the quality of general dental care and reduce individual and societal burden of chronic pain through prevention and improved quality of life for OFP patients. Our aims are to emphasize the goals of OFP education, to identify barriers for its implementation, and to suggest possible avenues to improve OFP education in general, postgraduate, and continuing dental education levels, including proposed minimum OFP competencies for all dentists. Moreover, patient perspectives are also incorporated, including a testimony from a person with OFP. General dentists, OFP experts, educators, researchers, patients, and policy makers need to combine efforts in order to successfully address the urgent need for quality OFP education.

Comparison of Pain-Generated Functional Outcomes in Experimental Models of Delayed-Onset Muscle Soreness and Nerve Growth Factor Injection of the Masticatory Muscles.

AIMS: To compare two pain models of myalgic TMD, delayed-onset muscle soreness (DOMS) and injections of nerve growth factor (NGF), in terms of pain-related and motor function outcomes, as well as activity-related temporal summation. METHODS: Fifty age- and gender-matched healthy participants were recruited and randomized into one of three groups: to a repeated eccentric contraction task to cause DOMS (n = 20), to receive NGF injections into the masseter muscle (n = 20), or to a control group (n = 10). Mechanical sensitivity of masticatory muscles, chewing parameters, jaw function limitation, maximum bite force, and activity-related temporal summation were assessed at baseline and at days 1, 2, and 7 following the intervention. RESULTS: Compared to baseline, both model groups showed increased mechanical sensitivity, jaw function limitation, pain on chewing, and decreased chewing efficiency, lasting longer in the NGF group than in the DOMS group (P < .05). Furthermore, also compared to baseline, the NGF group showed increased pain on maximum bite and decreased pain-free maximum opening (P < .05). No increases in activity-related temporal summation were shown for any of the model groups when compared to baseline or the control group (P > .05). CONCLUSION: Both models produced similar pain-related outcomes, with the NGF model having a longer effect. Furthermore, the NGF model showed a more substantial effect on motor function, which was not seen for the DOMS model. Finally, neither of the models were able to provoke activity-related temporal summation of pain.

Local anaesthesia decreases nerve growth factor induced masseter hyperalgesia.

The aim of this investigation was to evaluate the effects of local anaesthesia on nerve growth factor (NGF) induced masseter hyperalgesia. Healthy participants randomly received an injection into the right masseter muscle of either isotonic saline (IS) given as a single injection (n = 15) or an injection of NGF (n = 30) followed by a second injection of lidocaine (NGF + lidocaine; n = 15) or IS (NGF + IS; n = 15) in the same muscle 48 h later. Mechanical sensitivity scores of the right and left masseter, referred sensations and jaw pain intensity and jaw function were assessed at baseline, 48 h after the first injection, 5 min after the second injection and 72 h after the first injection. NGF caused significant jaw pain evoked by chewing at 48 and 72 h after the first injection when compared to the IS group, but without significant differences between the NGF + lidocaine and NGF + IS groups. However, the mechanical sensitivity of the right masseter 5 min after the second injection in the NGF + lidocaine group was significantly lower than the second injection in the NGF + IS and was similar to the IS group. There were no significant differences for the referred sensations. Local anaesthetics may provide relevant information regarding the contribution of peripheral mechanisms in the maintenance of persistent musculoskeletal pain.

Interprofessional Collaboration in Dentistry: Role of physiotherapists to improve care and outcomes for chronic pain conditions and sleep disorders.

Physiotherapists can manage chronic pain patients by using technical interventions such as mobility, strengthening, manual therapy, or flexibility in a specific and functional manner, being a key component of a multidisciplinary team. Dentists are involved in the management of different chronic pain conditions such as temporomandibular disorders and sleep disorders such as obstructive sleep apnea. However, they are frequently unaware of the benefits of collaborating with physical therapists. In this review, the collaboration of physical therapists and dentists will be explored when managing orofacial pain, headaches, and sleep disorders. The physical therapist is important in the management of these disorders and also in the screening of risk factors.

Masseter corticomotor excitability is decreased after intramuscular administration of nerve growth factor.

BACKGROUND: Quantification of motor-evoked potentials (MEPs) can contribute to better elucidate the central modulation of motor pathways in response to nociceptive inputs. The primary aim of this study was to assess the modulatory effects of nerve growth factor (NGF) injection on masseter corticomotor excitability. METHODS: The healthy participants of this randomized, double blind placebo-controlled experiment were assigned to have injected into the right masseter muscle either NGF (n = 25) or isotonic saline (IS, n = 17). The following variables were assessed at baseline and 48 hr after the injection: right masseter MEP amplitude and corticomotor mapping and clinical assessment of jaw pain intensity and function. Repeated Measures ANOVA was applied to the data. RESULTS: NGF caused jaw pain and increased jaw functional disability after the injection (p < 0.050). Also, the participants in the NGF group decreased the MEP amplitude (p < 0.001) but the IS group did not present any significant modulation after the injection (p > 0.050). Likewise, the participants in the NGF group reduced corticomotor map area and volume (p < 0.001), but the IS group did not show any significant corticomotor mapping changes after the injection (p > 0.050). Finally, there was a significant correlation between the magnitude of decreased corticomotor excitability and jaw pain intensity on chewing 48 hr after the NGF injection (r = -0.51, p = 0.009). CONCLUSION: NGF-induced masseter muscle soreness can significantly reduce jaw muscle corticomotor excitability, which in turn is associated with lower jaw pain intensity and substantiates the occurrence of central changes that most likely aim to protect the musculoskeletal orofacial structures. SIGNIFICANCE: Intramuscular administration of nerve growth factor into masseter muscle causes inhibitory corticomotor plasticity, which likely occurs to prevent further damage and seems associated with lower pain intensity on function.

Sleep Bruxism and Pain.

Bruxism is an oral behavior that may lead to repetitive jaw-muscle activity characterized by clenching or grinding of the teeth and/or by bracing or thrusting of the mandible with 2 distinct circadian manifestations: sleep bruxism or awake bruxism. They share common risk factors and lead to similar consequences for the masticatory system but may have different etiology and pathophysiology. This oral behavior has been associated with tooth wear, masticatory muscle tenderness, headaches, and painful temporomandibular disorders. Available scientific evidence does not support the view that bruxism is a direct cause of pain, which should be taken into account when treating/managing patients.