Muscle oxygenation and pain in different types of temporomandibular disorders

• Published in: Clinical oral investigations 2024-07, Vol.28 (7), p.410, Article 410
• Main Authors: Niszezak, Cleide Mara, Sonza, Anelise, Garrett, Andreza, Santos, Gilmar Moraes
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adult; Clinical outcomes; Cross-Sectional Studies; Dentistry; Facial Pain - physiopathology; Female; Gender differences; Hemodynamics; Humans; Infrared spectroscopy; Male; Masseter muscle; Masseter Muscle - physiopathology; Mastication; Medical diagnosis; Medicine; Muscles; Oxygen - metabolism; Oxygenation; Pain; Pain management; Pain Measurement; Pain Threshold - physiology; Physical therapy; Spectroscopy, Near-Infrared; Temporal Muscle - physiopathology; Temporomandibular joint; Temporomandibular joint disorders; Temporomandibular Joint Disorders - physiopathology; Variation
• ISSN: 1436-3771; 1432-6981; 1436-3771
• DOI: 10.1007/s00784-024-05806-z

Objectives Studies exploring variations in peripheral muscle oxygenation and pressure pain thresholds (PPT) of masticatory muscles in individuals with Temporomandibular Disorders (TMDs) are limited. The purpose of this study was to compare variations in peripheral oxygenation of the masseter muscle; PPT of the masseter and temporal muscles and correlate peripheral muscle oxygenation and PPT of the masseter muscle in individuals with different types of TMDs. Materials and methods Cross-sectional study involving 116 participants classified into three groups: muscle group (MG, n  = 32), joint group (JG, n  = 30) and muscle-joint group (MJG, n  = 54). Individuals aged 26.97 ± 6.93, 68.97% female, 31,03% males were included. All participants were evaluated using the Diagnostic Criteria for Temporomandibular Disorders, Near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) for peripheral muscle oxygenation and pressure algometer for PPT. Results There was no difference in masseter muscle oxygenation among groups. In the masseter muscle, a weakly positive correlation was observed between PPT and variation in tissue saturation index in the MG (rho = 0.365) and JG (rho = 0.317). In addition, the MJG expressed lower PPT ( p  = 0.004) than JG, demonstrating that MJG had more pain in this muscle. Conclusions MJG have lower PPT in the masseter muscle. Although the PPT is dependent on the type of TMDs, the correlation between PPT and oxygenation is weak. All TMDs groups evaluated (MG, JG, MJG) showed hemodynamic similarities of the masseter muscle. Clinical relevance Understanding pain thresholds and the hemodynamic behavior of the masticatory muscles contributes to a more assertive physiotherapeutic assessment in TMDs, serving as a basis for careful and individualized interventions.