Varia��o da aplica��o da for�a de palpa��o digital utilizada no exame cl�nico de disfun��o temporomandibular e dor orofacial / Variation of digital palpation pressure used in the clinical examination of TMJ disorders and orofacial pain

ABSTRACT

Objective: The present research aims to evaluate the calibration of digital palpation pressure as well as to assess the inter-examiner variation and mean pressure used by a sample consisting of 56 professionals of the TMJ disorders and Orofacial Pain area. Methods: Each participant was asked to press a digital balance to approach 1.0 kg and subsequently 0.5 kg without seeing the display, in order to obtain a blind data. The values of 1.0 kg and 0.5 kg are recommended by the Research Diagnostic Criteria for Temporomandibular Disorder in the refined Axis I, the Physical Assessment. Participants were considered calibrated when they applied the correct pressure in at least 4 of the 5 measurement taken; within a 20% variation interval (pressures between 0.4 and 0.6 kg were acceptable for the reference value of 0.5 kg and between 0.8 and 1.2 kg for the reference value of 1.0kg). The t-student test was used to analyze data (p?0.05). Results: 70% of the sample was classified as non- calibrated for the 0.5 kg pressure while 57% were not calibrated for the 1.0 kg pressure. The mean inter-examiner variations, 0.3 kg for the pressure set at 0.5kg and 0.6 kg for the pressure set at 1.0 kg, were considered high. Conclusion: The mean pressures applied by participants (0.7 kg for joint palpation and 1.4 kg for muscle palpation) were also considered high in comparison with those recommended by the Research Diagnostic Criteria for Temporomandibular Disorder, but acceptable according to the tendency of applying higher values of 1.0 - 1.5 kg, as proven by recent study.

RESUMO

Objetivo: Avaliar a calibra��o da for�a de palpa��o digital, bem como determinar a varia��o intra-examinador e a for�a m�dia aplicada por uma amostra composta de 56 profissionais que atuam na especialidade de disfun��o temporomandibular e dor orofacial. M�todos Foi solicitado a cada participante que pressionasse o centro de uma balan�a digital, sem visualizar o display, o valor que acreditasse ser correspondente � 1,0 kg e, posteriormente, a 0,5 kg, recomendados pelo protocolo de exame f�sico do Eixo I do Consortium, the Research Diagnostic Criteria for Temporomandibular Disorders. Foram considerados calibrados aqueles que aplicassem a for�a correta, aceitando-se uma varia��o de 20% (entre 0,4 e 0,6 kg para o menor valor e 0,8 a 1.2 kg para o maior valor), em 4 das 5 aferi��es realizadas. Na an�lise dos dados foi utilizado o teste t de Student (p?0,05). Resultados: 70% da amostra foi classificada como n�o calibrada para a for�a de 0,5 kg e 57% n�o calibrada para 1,0 kg. A varia��o m�dia intraexaminador de 0,3 kg para o peso de 0,5 kg e 0,6 kg para o de 1,0 kg foram consideradas altas. Conclus�o A for�a m�dia aplicada pelos participantes (0,7 kg para palpa��o articular e 1.4 kg para palpa��o muscular) foi maior que o recomendado pelo Consortium, the Research Diagnostic Criteria for Temporomandibular Disorders, entretanto encontra-se de acordo com a tend�ncia em aplicar valores mais altos entre 1,0 e 1,5 kg, validado em estudo recente.